The heavy downpours which started on the 27th August continued into the beginning of September bringing much needed rain. On the 1st a Slow Worm and 2 young Field Voles were seen under the corrugated metal mats near Top Field Shelter. About 140+ Linnet were counted over both the old and new crops. 20 Swallows and dozen House Martin were over Top Field after rain shower, and a male Stone Chat was seen in the new crop. On the 2nd a Sparrowhawk was seen taking a Linnet from the old crop. There were 3 Buzzards on posts or overhead. About 120 Linnet+ and a flock of 50 Swallow over Main Field during a rain shower. A Grey Heron flew up from the Flo Pond early afternoon. One of the apple trees had gone over in the rain and was re-staked. There was a Blackcap in Kiln Close hedge with a tit flock, surprising lack of any other activity. The Sloes in the Pennsland Lane hedge were prolific and ripe and a Badger or some other wildlife had been in the Staff/Volunteer allotment plots eating sweetcorn cobs. The seed in this year’s bird crop is ripe and Linnets and other species are frequently seen feeding. There were lots of small toadlets in the grass below the ponds.
There was Mullein and White Campion flowering at the side of the old crop on the 3rd and lots of wild Carrot flowering in the Nectar Strip. A Sparrowhawk was flying low over the Main Field and was joined by a second as it ascended, a third one was seen at the same time flying over adjacent woodland. There were approximately 60 Linnets flying over the crops, there is still seed on last years Forage Rape. Whatever had been eating the sweetcorn cobs in the allotments had come back for more
