Parliament

A disturbance in the mid distance and a debate going on among rooks and jackdaws. They were deciding whether to go east to Dore or west further into the National Park. Usually it's the latter.


More changes in the new month, alder catkins colouring.



Even after a fortnight of dry weather and recently drying winds the right of way going over Blacka Hill is in a ghastly state. Up to three years ago this path was less than 18 inches wide and with long grass stalks to each side. The present wide boggy track is the direct result of cattle being imported. Day after day they slowly browsed the grass and caused serious erosion. All pretty depressing. Will this be another place which eventually gets the OTT remedial treatment that brings in alien materials?



Cattle go along paths already there but deer spurn them in favour of making their own. This can be seen throughout Blacka. Their feet are smaller, their impact on the ground wholly in keeping with the wildness of the site, a gentle imprint visible on the brown dead bracken tempting some of us to follow. Nine were wandering through the heather on Blacka Hill this morning, not easy to see at first.