What a beautiful day, with not a cloud in the sky and a faint moon hidden in the bright blue sky. I was greeted first by a Robin wonderfully filling the woodland with its beautiful song. The woodland this morning felt warm and welcoming filled with leaves and wrapping you in a big leafy hug, sheltered from the hot morning sun. The most prolific sighting and sound this morning were the Magpies, they were squawking around the woodland and flying around the tops of the trees. Wood Pigeons also cooed from branches and Blue-tits flitted around the low lying trees.
Long Meadow was filled with an array of colour from bright yellows of Birds-foot Trefoil, Bulbous and Meadow Buttercups, bright Red Clover and pale pink Pale Flax, mixed with tufts of Comfrey. Long-tailed Tits flew around new growth on Horse Chestnut, Ash and Oak trees, while I spotted a Dingy Skipper bathing on a Limestone rock.
I spend a lot of time smelling flowers and blossoms, there sweet scents are so warming, it’s a good job I don’t get hay fever. This time of year is great to really observe the meadows, studying the patterns, shapes, textures and tones of the grasses and wild flowers. Grasses at the moment include Cocksfoot, Rye Grass, Fescue, Crested Dogs-tail and my favourite Quaking Grass of which I found a small patch.
As I removed some campers from one of our fields I spotted the bright chestnut colour of a Roe Deer, its slender neck and long ears showing beautifully against the lush greens surrounding it. Elderflowers are now in bloom, while I had a little sniff, Swallows flew over, now looking like they have not just arrived but are enjoying the countryside. A pair of Blackbirds flew across the path as I watched a Kestrel hover above. Another Jay sat on the top of a dead tree, again it’s blue feathers showing lovely in the morning sun.
Sainfoin seems to be in abundance across the meadows, as I walked Linnets flitted round, a Meadow Brown flew around and a couple of Rabbits hopped away as they spotted me. Also seen this morning Whitethroat, Dunnock, Stonechat and our lovely Herefords.