The Master of winds turns to the breeze
And rides the changing gusts with ease
Then scans the ground for prey to seize
A hovering Kestrel is a work of art
My usual morning stroll through long meadow came with an escort today. Half a dozen Gatekeeper butterflies twirled and spiralled along next to me as I walked. They continued for a short distance before breaking off and alighting on the hedge. Magical. Field and Meadow Grasshoppers provided their rendition of the morning chorus as the backing track to my entrance.
There was an excellent showing of butterflies on the meadows as I headed towards Large Copse, with Red Admirals and a pair of Dark Green Fritillaries dancing through the air by the Honey Bee colony. Taskers Meadow seemed a little drab at first sight, but further along it broke into vibrant colours with Knapweed, Agrimony, Fleabane and Red Bartsia blending together in a splendid display.
Saxon Field housed a couple of Garden Warblers, holding a conversation with each other from inside two different bushes. They’re notorious gossips. I was delighted to spot a large Field Mushroom huddling next to a Wooley Thistle, the large, round white cap just protruding above the level of the grass.
In Eight Acres I was treated to the spectacle of a Hovering Kestrel. As I watched it circled round overhead, flapping its wings. It then banked and turned into the wind. It lifted slightly as the rushing air passed over the aerofoil of its wings, and with a subtle adjustment it ceased flapping and hung static for a few seconds, in perfect equilibrium with the elements. A sight well worth committing to verse.