After another dump of rain (11.4mm) last night means we have had over 100mm in the last two weeks, no wonder the downland back fields look and feel like a water meadow!
As I waded through the water two Roe Deer appeared from over the dry-stone wall, their dull fur colour blending in very well with the background of Bramble, Blackthorn and Wild Clematis. It was the large white powder puff of the fluffy rump that really caught the eye as it moved away.
From the bushes came the penetrating call of a Bullfinch, almost a whistle, another returned its call. Again it was the white rump of this beautiful finch that caught the eye first as it moved through the branches, the pink chest was barely seen.
From the woods came the gentle hooting call of a Tawny Owl, but no sight was made of this elusive bird.
Splashes of pink berries along the hedges highlighted the European Spindle plants, while the green berries of the Japanese Spindle are just beginning to turn pink as well.
Perched on the lines of the electricity pylon was a Kestrel, the chestnut wings folded back as it surveyed the ground below, suddenly taking flight, hovering and then dropping to the ground – I couldn’t tell whether it had caught anything or not.
The mild weather, means the seabirds are not moving much at the moment, so a very quiet at sea with just a few Herring Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull spotted along with the cliff resident Jackdaws which were tumbling together.
A Jay flapping across Long Meadow and the sudden erupting cackle of a Green Woodpecker added to my morning’s wildlife.