Sunday 22 August 2010

Great Hill and Black Brook

The skies were looking very changeable today as I set off for Great Hill. I'm glad I went because a wonderful spectacle awaited - well over a hundred swallows zooming around at low levels. As I paused to admire them, I wondered if the many short-tailed youngsters amongst them knew about the migratory adventures that lay so soon ahead. Part way towards Great Hill is Sam's Cup, the site of an old well. It remains a popular spot for having a break. A short distance further and I see the kestrel/s which showed little interest in the fast flying swallows as they hovered searching for voles etc.
I decided to return via Black Brook. It is not a public footpath but is a well used path through this area of access land. The path is eroded in places so it's wise to take a friend along (even if I didn't...)

The sun brought out the butterflies: small tortoiseshell, meadow brown, small coppers and gatekeepers. A couple of brown hawkers and a black darter were also seen, and bees were visiting the heather. I enjoy the landscape of this brook, looking at angles of the carved valley and its tributaries.

4 comments:

Caroline Gill said...

... and I saw a Black Darter (here) this w/e, too ... my first.

Crafty Green Poet said...

sounds like you had a wonderful walk...

DM said...

Mmm. I think you should practice what you preach! Mistle Thrushes aren't noted for swimming with Dippers!

Mistlethrush said...

Thanks for your comments everyone.

from the field book

from the field book
An inspiring gift for anyone who enjoys watching nature.