The sound of the booming of fog horns dominated the early morning, the low rumble providing a background noise against which the chitter and chatter of small birds was contending.
Peering through the murk a young Bullfinch was spotted, the stubby beak and, on take-off, the white flash of its rump confirming the species.
The loud chatter of the Stonechats in contrast making identification very easy as they flitted amongst the pale pink flowering Dog Rose.
A squabbling sound from the flower laden Elder bushes was a family of Common Whitethroats the youngsters with a slight band of white neck markings.
The meadows are awash with wildflowers the tall Common Spotted Orchids waving above the yellow flowered Meadow Vetchling and Bulbous and Meadow Buttercups whilst the leaves of Fleabane providing a carpet of grey-green.
The purple Tufted Vetch is tumbling across the grasses alongside Selfheal, Red Clover and Rest Harrow, with right at ground level the small yellow flowers of Black Medic.
Trotting towards me was a young Roe Deer, the almost ginger colouration of its fur camouflaging very well this mammal against the pale brown waving grasses and hedgerow. This fawn came really close before spotting (or smelling) me and then disappeared rapidly.
The differences between the meadows is quite remarkable with Centenary awash with Kidney Vetch and Sainfoin plus Wild Carrot. In Johnston Meadow the dominant species at the lower end in Dyer’s Greenweed which over the years has expanded its range from one small spot.
The dampness making a perfect morning for slugs with over 160 counted along one short section of path, all of these were thin, dark brown and 1” - 1 ½” long.
A I walked through the gateway the sudden strong smell of a bank of Privet, the slightly off white flowers showing well against the deep green leaves