New kid on the block

New cygnet looking up to mum

Resident female cleaning up

Started the day at Sherborne expecting to start this seasons work on the bat cave now all resident bats have moved to their summer roosts primarily in the bothy(58) and kennels(175) where the latest count totals a healthy 233. Unfortunately Morris couldn't make it so new plans had to be made. This was however delayed a little due to the visit of a local hornet which caused some disturbance in the estate offices until it decided to leave by the window realising it wasn't wanted.  Eventually Mike and I were able to proceed with the tree guard repair work down from Crookmoor Ash. I drove the 4x4 with trailer and before Mike arrived with the tractor, I managed to disturb a local fox. As we began the repair work a juvenile buzzard flew in and perched on a nearby oak to see what we were up to. The morning flew by, with eagle eye Mike also spotting a sparrow hawk, and then a well earned lunch break was upon us.

As usual spent lunch down by the Broadwater with the the resident swan family looking in good health along with the usual ducks, herons and sheep. Also spotted a kestrel which was pleasing given they seem to be scarcer this year. However a new pair of swans with a single cygnet were on show on the brook up from the weir. They were quite friendly and swam across to greet me and I suspect they were quite a young family possibly related to the resident mute swans downstream.

Continued the tree guard work in the afternoon session with a green woodpecker making a brief appearance and maddie trying her best to make things more interesting by lying down right where we were trying to work. Another rewarding day ticked off and one big positive was the 'biting' flies left us alone. Not so good were the English sports results covering rugby, cricket and football, the less said the better!