A gorgeous morning to be awoken by the sound of mooing, not the normal start to the day, when the Hereford herd and calves and mothers are supposed to be grazing fields away, on the seaward slopes of the downs!
Around the car parks evidence of cows! But on discovery they were well behaved and allowed me to moove them into a secure field with a water supply. All 34 (16 calves) of them. Thank you to the early walkers who were able to help me with the gates!
As I was out on the downs, it gave me the opportunity to watch a make Yellowhammer which was perched on the top capper of one of the walls, uttering the first part of its song. The sunshine catching the brilliant yellow head.
Behind me a Bullfinch called and a Stonechat popped onto the upper prickly branches of the Gorse bush, while Common Whitethroat and Skylark both poured their songs into the skies.
While walking the cows through thigh high grasses, it made me aware just how tall and long and luscious the vegetation is this year. Tor Grass, Cocksfoot, Crested Dog’s Tail, Yorkshire Fog, Yellow Oat-grass and Quaking Grass all in ‘flower’.
Some patches of Wild Thyme, a pinky purple rug, across the Yellow Meadow Ant Hill mound, a wonderful display of this low growing herb.
A fantastic view of a Fox as it slowly wandered by, stopping to sniff the air and have a rummage in the grass, at times just its white brush visible. On the hillside a male Roe Deer, while a last night Bats were on the wing in pursuit of moths. Also reported last night was Barn Owl across the gully, and lots of Swifts.
A flutter of a Meadow Brown as it too flight, while the grey and tan flickering of Small Heath caught the eye, as did the blue of the Common Blue.
Flowers galore including both Crosswort and Ladies Bedstraw, Black Medic and Hop Trefoil, also Horseshoe Vetch and Kidney Vetch. As well as the white flower rings of Hoary Plantain and pale pink brushes of Ribwort Plantain.