Above the sound of the strong wind blowing in from the south-west, came the sound of mooing coming from close-by – too close by for my liking! Turning the corner and there they were, our gorgeous herd of Hereford Cattle, enjoying munching on the wide range of grasses in Saxon Field. However they were not supposed to be in this field, someone had left the gate open!! Please close all gates (unless they are wedged and tied open).
Having chatted to the cows, I watched a Sparrowhawk as it whizzed across, flying just above the height of the dry-stone wall, perhaps looking out for some breakfast.
Despite the strong winds a Kestrel was also to be spotted, this more delicate chestnut coloured bird was hovering above the long tufts of grass, then dropped, obviously didn’t catch anything and returned to its hovering position gazing down. Just amazing how these birds can keep still in this wind.
The pale blue of a few Field Scabious flowers, along with the purple of Black Knapweed, alongside yellows of Rough Hawkbit and Ragwort, plus Red Clover adding some colour to the walk.
Looping above my head, a different shaped bird to the usual Carrion Crows, Jackdaws and Wood Pigeons. A flash of white spotted as it landed and this Great Spotted Woodpecker stood upright on the trunk of an Ash tree, its red ‘trousers’ showing as it perched.
A I looked down at the bright yellow centre of the Common Toadflax, the outer a paler yellow colour, I was able to spot 5 different species of Snail, al less than a centimetre across, but included Yellow-lipped and Brown-lipped Snails, Spiral Snail and two others I am still looking up!
In the woodland the snuffle marks of Badgers showing where they have been recently as they search for grubs in the soil. A Jay squawked as it flew amongst the Black Pines and a Grey Squirrel sat and stared at me, its mouth stuffed with at least two Holm Oak acorns!