I headed out negotiating between puddles and slippery patches of clay. Mick was Bird Ringing in the Garden and playing bird calls. A pair of Carrion Crows called from the Large Copse. Looing over Boys Brigade visibility reveal the urban coast beyond. Overhead was the sound of passing aircraft.
Crossing South Field, Blackbirds were active in the hedgerows. A Rabbit’s rear disappeared when it wove between Blackthorn stems.
Pair of Wood Pigeons passed in flight or call whilst resting. It was a joy to find a Bullfinch perched upon the Holcombe quarry scrub cover. I observed from the drove side “hillock” which held Yarrow flowers at my feet. Alongside the drove Haws, Rosehips and Sloes were still on offer to the birds. The bushes others wore branching lichen or were smothers in the vines and whiskers of Old Man’s beard. In Herren Ground the field edge scrub clearance had fresh, green Nettle and Goose Grass (Cleavers) growth.
I climbed up onto the slippery polished stone step stile at Johnston Meadow. From there I could see two Roe Deer grazing beside Hingston Copse. Soon the rising sun beamed across the meadow reveal several Dandelion seed clocks. More Carrion Crows flew past as a neighbours Cockerel crowed.
As I entered the undulating landscape of Field 6 yellow Gorse flowers were a welcomed sight. Blades or chive scented Chervil spike the grassland. In the distance the Hereford Cattle grazing the downland slopes. Beside me a Honeysuckle creeper held both flowers and fruits. Nearby were two persistent Knapweed flowers. Jackdaws arose from near the gully mouth to fly west. A trio of Carrion Crows, perched in the Sycamore beside the road bridge, called out. Not unusually a Magpie was about the feet of the cattle. It was less usual the see a Green Woodpecker perched upon a Hawthorn amongst the quarried landscape. A small charm of Goldfinches explored the scrub where a Wren trilled out. The dozen Racing Pigeons sored past then I heard a Cock Pheasant call from near the Goat Plot. Of course, there was plenty of Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit beside the centre now that there was more sunlight.