The summer months constantly remind us that we are still a farming community and arable crops are part of our landscape as this field of barley shows at Hanging Bridge.
It’s been a strange year for Birds, the House Martins came very late, inspected last years nest and then disappeared not to be seen again. They have been seen in other parts of Mayfield as have Swallows. We have a pair of Robins who have been here nearly all year, lots of Sparrows and Dunnocks, Blue Tits, Not so many Blackbirds as usual. No shortage of Pigeons or Magpies and Starlings and Collared Doves. The Swifts came back and are nesting in their usual place near the School. A Song Thrush has been seen visiting lots of gardens in Mayfield including ours
One of the most amazing Birds to be seen in Mayfield was a Hoopoe seen in Gallowstree Lane. They are very attractive birds with an orange coloured crest with black and white tips. It is about the size of a Mistle Thrush. They come from Africa, Asia and Europe, they don’t breed here but come over here in April and May. They usually land on the South Coast so maybe this one got lost. They eat mostly insects. Their proper name is ‘Upupa epops’.
A Woodpecker has been visiting Moorlands Drive, Yellow Hammers can be seen at Calwich, nice to see them back again, A wren comes to have a drink from our water dish most days. A lot of Birds can be spotted in Middle Mayfield, especially Swallows who nest in Farm Buildings. Barn Owls are seen in Middle Mayfield too. PJ one of the tagged Cuckoos has sadly died. He was almost eight years old, a good age for a Cuckoo, he had done many journeys travelling 60,000 miles in total. He had returned to England where he died, he had provided a lot of scientific data and will be greatly missed.
Please leave water out for Birds who visit your gardens, especially during the hot weather. There are lots of snails and slugs around for them to eat, but water is very important.
We often say we are as ‘Busy as a bee’, but it doesn’t compare to the daily life of this beautiful insect as it gathers up pollen from Mayfield flowers to turn into delicious honey. Another beautiful shot from the camera of Bob Berrisford.