The grey skies again providing a dull start to the morning, but this was enlivened by the calling of a Green Woodpecker from the Large Copse. As I approached this fabulous yellow and green bird was undulating across the sky, the ‘yaffle’ sounding as it flew.
The woodchip path had been turned and ‘snuffled’ by the powerful nose of a Badger as it searched for bugs, insects and other invertebrates. A little later a large Badger latrine was spotted by the gate.
As I walked across the fields the sound from above was of a couple of Carrion Crows chasing and harassing a Kestrel. The grey-headed and chestnut backed bird of prey easily able to escape his tormentors with a quick twist of the wings.
The high pitched call of a small flock of Meadow Pipits flying over, was followed by them landing amongst the grass of the field, disappearing into the sward, only seen again as they took flight for another patch.
Standing alongside a Blackthorn covered hedgerow was a Roe Deer, his dull brown coat melding into the background and his antlers looking like twigs. As I looked back it was the white rump of this deer which was noticeable.
On the downs a roundish circle of Field Blewitts was growing, some of these the size of a frying pan – but due to their slimy looks I’m not sure I would want to put them in the pan!
A quick piece of dry-stone wall mending allowed me, as I stood still, to smell the strong pungent calling card of a Fox left on the nearby vegetation – always a good idea not to brush against this.
Goldcrests in the tops of the Willow, a flock of Goldfinches landing in the Brambles and the resident Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens all calling from the scrub added to my morning’s wildlife list.