There was a slight chill in the air this morning with temperature being a mild 15 degrees, very pleasant for a morning patrol. Commotion came from a Sycamore tree as a Wood Pigeon took flight, startling a Magpie which simultaneously cried out across the field. Restharrow, Red Bartsia, Tufted Vetch and Birds-foot Trefoil all line the meadow footpaths, while still flowering in the golden hue of the meadows Field Scabious, Black Knapweed, Dandelion and Ragwort are all adding splashes of colour.
Our work party’s this week have been working hard to remove patches of Ragwort across the meadows, a plant that holds huge amounts of toxins that damage the liver of cattle. Fresh Ragwort in a field, Cattle will not eat but once a hay cut has been done it becomes tasteless to the cattle so they munch away on it unknowing of its dangers, as we feed our hay back to the cattle in the winter it is important to remove it priory to our imminent hay cut.
Along a lovely dense hedge-line a Greenfinch sat on top of a Hawthorn while Warblers moved in and out of the lower branches. Overhead a charm of Goldfinches flew towards my walking direction and behind me the sound of a Green-Woodpecker echoed out from the large copse.
Visibility was super clear this morning, making the Lighthouse on the Isle of Wight easy to see, the distinction between Hengistbury Head, Hurst Point and beyond so clear you could make out the field margins and buildings. None of this you would probably believe now as I sit writing and my window covered in rain.
A group of Linnets flew over and landed on a hedgerow, while a Dunnock sang from the top of a Blackthorn tree and another Greenfinch perched on nearby. Blue tits made their way through the Ivy and Bramble covered Blackthorn and as I returned to the centre a Redstart flew down from a tree onto the grass, a lovely sight in itself, then one of the bird ringers brought one to show me up close, beautiful bird. While talking to the bird ringers a Tree Pipit was being ringed, a bird I had not seen before. Also this morning 2 Nightjars were ringed along with Willow and Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Linnets and Whitethroat.