A lovely walk around the meadows this morning, I was followed constantly by the sound of Skylarks, of which there seems to be an abundance of this year. The morning sun was shining warmly on my back, a light breeze came in from the south and a few spots of rain hit my face, only to continue for a few moments.
Walking across the first meadow a Carrion Crow was in hot pursuit of a Jackdaw, both twisting and turning as they flew, the Jackdaw had obviously annoyed the Crow in some way. On a little earthy bank, a richness of flowers were in bloom, including a small golden mat of Horseshoe Vetch, brightly coloured Red Clover and tall slender Pale Flax.
Herron Ground is a beautiful field to admire at the moment, it is adorned with yellows of Bulbous Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup and Cowslips, as well as speckles of purple Common Vetch, blue Pale Flax and Red Clover. Meadow grasses are growing tall across the meadows as well, with species of Crested dog’s-tail, Perennial Rye grass and Oat grass. While studying the grasses and flowers I noticed a Crane Fly flitting low to the ground.
Entering Johnston Meadow two Swallows hurtled across the meadow and further down a group of Linnets were feeding in the grasses, as I walked past, they flew up dashing around and then landing in a nearby Hawthorn.
A quick check on the Herefords who were all happily grassing and relaxing on the downs, and I headed back towards the centre. Back through the meadows I found a beautiful little white cross flower which seemed to be the flower of Cleavers, later confirmed, I hadn’t realised they produce such a lovely flower. Yellow Rattle is starting to appear across the meadows now and I spotted a little patch of flowering Sainfoin.
My eyes still firmly on the ground I found clusters of Germander Speedwell, Crosswort and Birds-foot Trefoil with the odd Early Purple Orchid still appearing. My last sighting was a Greenfinch calling from a Sycamore tree, bringing my attention back up above the first foot of ground.