1978 June & July
June 1st
This morning the
sky was overcast with grey clouds but the sun still shone
through. I went down to the reservoir with Cindy. On the left
hand side of the island there were about ten nests containing
eggs. Mainly Black-headed gulls, Lapwings and maybe a Curlew’s
nest.
I had to hurry home though because it
started to thunder. The thunder continued till
half past seven. At one
time it was a real thunder storm. The leaves were being lashed
about in the wind and rain fell straight down in torrents. There
kept being flashes of lightening. I could have sworn lightening
struck near Radcliffe’s boundary fence. Lightening struck just
beyond the first bridge in the Hay Meadow.
I am not
frightened of thunder except that it means there must be
lightening, and I am always afraid of being struck. The Beech
tree that once stood just inside the farm gate was struck down
by lightening. Most of the trunk was cut straight off as though
it had been cut off with a very sharp saw. The rest of the trunk
and roots stayed in their old position but the surrounding soil
was disturbed. When the trunk was visited later on it was found
to be smouldering. The force that struck it had been so great.
The Ash
and Oak leaves are now out. The Oak came out first.
“If the
Ash is out before the Oak then we’re in for a soak”
“If the
Oak is out before the Ash then we’re in for a splash”
June 2nd
In the morning the sky
was light blue with many white clouds and some grey ones. The
sun shone in between them. Up the back there were hundreds of
six and seven spot ladybirds. On the grass there I saw some
cuckoo spit. About a week ago I found some in Pump House Wood
and up the Back Meadow. Some of it was near the Bluebells and
two baby frogs hoppers jumped on my legs.
I saw a
pair of Magpies on the hill above the clay pigeon shoot. I don’t
mind one pair, but would not like many, because Magpies breed
very quickly. They are also fond of other birds’ eggs and will
take chicks occasionally. Belmont Fete was held today. I was in
a tug of war team for ladies. Two Ladies teams had a go for fun.
It was a dead-heat.
June 10th
For the past few days
the sky has been full of large cotton wool clouds. Everyone knew
the clouds were full of rain, but it doesn’t rain. There is no
warm sunshine just endless gusts of wind. Around the farm while
on my walks I have noticed many young Wagtails, Starlings and
Swallows but the majority of theses birds will be killed off in
autumn. This might seem cruel and meaningless but it is Mother
Nature's way of making sure only the fittest survive.
In the
fields Yellow Rattle are flowering. So are the dark-blue Bugle
flowers in the back garden.
June 11th
The weather is the same
as yesterdays except the sun shines through the clouds every now
and again. There is loads of grass in the fields going to waste
because there are only 14 bullocks on the farm at the moment. Up
the Back Meadow I was delighted to find a Bugle flower and some
Ragged Robin. I never knew these flowers existed there.
However
as we neared a sheep’s carcass I put Cindy on the lead. Next I
thought this is no good Jennifer you are not letting Cindy prove
she can behave. So I let Cindy loose and she bounded into the
rushes. Next there was a flash of red followed by a streak of
black. It was a Fox, and was just about her size. All this year
and most of last year I never saw a single fox so you can
imagine how excited I was.
Then my
excitement turned to fear. For how long and how far would Cindy
chase the fox. As the fox darted away pursued by Cindy I climbed
up a hillock in the hope that I could spot them. When I reached
the top Cindy was stood panting innocently. After she came to me
and I forgave her with a pat.
June 12th
Today the sky was a
clear blue with sunshine and a few cotton wool clouds. At the
end of the Dutch barn many House Martins and Swallows were
darting about in between the trees. When I was ten there were
many Swallows and a few House Martins. Now every year only a
very small number of Swallows arrive and quite a lot of House
Martins. Above the barn yard I saw a pair of Swifts. Swifts are
one of the rarest birds seen on the farm.
The
adult Swallows and Martins only land on the telephone wires but
young birds may land quite close to you on a fence. The best
time to watch them is on a warm day when it has just stopped
raining and the sky is overcast with clouds. Then the birds
begin to dart between the trees after the small insects and
flies, which is their main diet. Swifts usually stay flying high
up in the sky.
In the
fields I often have seen flocks of Starlings just lately. The
young ones are brown in colour because their speckled adult
plumage has not yet grown. Usually you can walk up to just one
or two feet away, because their natural instinct of fear has not
properly developed. The same applied to young Wagtails. They
stay bobbing up and down on the stones in the stream while the
dogs rush past.
By the
gate at the bottom of the lane the Shepherd’s Purse plants are
flowering. To my delight I found some Eyebright flowers in
Ratcliffe’s field today.
June 13th
The Yellow Flag leaves
have grown very tall in the marsh, and I found a new species of
flower. It was a Bog Bean plant with pink white flowers, large
green leaves and purple anthers.
Then I
walked with Cindy back across the moor to the Tip. There I saw
about thirty young rabbits. The rabbits seem to like the area
more than any other on the farm, probably because they can
scramble into the junk for protection against enemies. It is
riddled with rabbits and their burrows. At least sixty rabbits
must live around there.
June 14th
It has not rained for
two weeks exactly. If it was not for the mist and dew every
morning we would have a serious drought. So far May has been
warmer than June.
Yesterday I came first in something for the first time in my
life. It was a diving race with four widths to do. When I dive
the force carries me across the baths, so unlike some people I
don’t need to swim any distance. I must admit I am very proud of
myself.
June 16th
Today there were showers of rain throughout the day. At
half past four a gale
force wind was blowing. Loads of leaves and many twigs have been
torn down. At dinner time the wind seemed quite warm and in a
few odd moments it sun shined.
At nine
o’clock I went a walk. I was dressed in my thickest jumper, my
old duffle coat, and a pair of trousers to keep me warm from the
cold strong wind. The clouds were a purple-grey and were moving
on at a terrific speed. The sky was streaked with pink and the
fields were like seas full of grass waves.
June 17th
All day the sky has been
clear blue with not a single cloud. The sun has been warm and
would have been hot if it were not for the cold wind. In the
evening I went a walk across on the island on the reservoir. All
the eggs had hatched out, the chicks had gone and only egg shell
remained.
On
Fisher’s land I saw a flock of about 200 Lapwings. Out for a
family swim on the reservoir were the pair of Canada Geese and
their six goslings. In the small wood on the island on the
reservoir I discovered quite by accident three young Magpies
hiding in the branches. I spotted the nest in one of the trees.
The Magpies were so quiet that I only just spotted them. They
were all fully clothed in feathers.
June 18th
The weather has
been just like yesterdays except the sun shone even hotter so
the wind didn’t appear as cold as usual. I went across to Pump
House Wood for a walk. Altogether I saw about thirty Pigeons,
twelve of which were a group of racing pigeons from the village
and they flew straight overhead. A pair of collared doves landed
on the Pump House roof. The rest of the pigeons were made up of
stock doves and wood pigeons.
June 19th
In the morning there was
a stronger wind so it was cooler than usual but the sun was
still shining. The sky was blue with an odd cotton wool cloud.
By dinner time many more cotton wool clouds were in the sky.
When the afternoon came the sky was covered with a cloudy grey
haze but the sun still shone through.
In Pump
House Wood today to my surprise I saw a Wren. I only rarely see
Wrens about on the farm because they are such small and shy
birds. In My Place the Heath Spotted Orchids have started to
bud; so have the Foxglove plants which can be seen on most
stream banks. Up the back garden Self Heal plants are in bud.
June 21st
Today is the first day
of Summer and it is also the longest day of the year. In the
morning the sky was overcast with dark grey clouds. Then it
began to rain and it has rained nearly all day. The well was
only trickling yesterday but now it is flowing nicely again. The
drive yesterday was just a dry dusty track but now it is covered
with deep puddles.
June 22nd
Today I have broken up for my long summer holiday and will not
be going back to school until August 1st. All day,
just about, it has rained. The Croft is nearly covered with the
red flowers of Sheep Sorrel. It grows in most other fields as
well.
June 23rd
The sky is overcast and
a sheet of grey clouds that hang very low in the sky is all you
can see. It has rained nearly all day and the temperatures are
low for June. In the meadow Self Heal plants are flowering.
Across in My Place the Germander Speedwell would be flowering as
well but it is too cold at the moment. Nearly all yesterday it
rained as well and the trickling stream has turned into a fast
flowing river.
I went a
walk round the island on the reservoir; the young Magpies must
have left. I picked up some Goose feathers that I found on the
island shore. The quills on the longer feathers were extremely
thick, about five mm. At the moment the Elm trees are shedding
loads of their little brown seeds.
In My
Place the yellow Meadow Vetchlings are flowering. Meadowsweet
and Elderberry trees are in bud. In Radcliffe’s field I saw a
Little Owl on top of a telegraph post.
June 27th
The sky is blue with
lots of grey and cotton wool clouds. The sun has been shining
and I went a walk up the back. On the flowers I saw several tiny
brown butterflies. I don’t know what their name is. In amongst
rushes I found a large black slug. It was about twenty cm long
and as thick as my thumb.
July 5th
Yesterday evening Mrs Hurst gave my Dad an injured Tawny Owl in
a sack. The bird had hurt its leg so my sister took it to an
RSPB man who cures ill birds if he can.
July 6th
Today we have received
some information about the injured Tawny Owl. The bird has
nothing wrong with it that a good few meals wouldn’t put right.
So the Owl is well on the mend because the RSPB man has an
aviary full of chicks to feed it.
July 7th
The sky was a bright
white light shining through the clouds this morning. Now it is
not as bright but the sky is still overcast and there have been
some showers of rain.
Today
they started to shear the sheep because despite the cold weather
and temperature it cannot be delayed any longer. On the farm we
have Cheviot and Gritstone Sheep. I prefer the Gritstone Sheep
although they are greatly outnumbered by Cheviots. However now
all the tups are Gritstone this situation should quickly be
changed. All sheep to me appear dense but they cannot be blamed
for that. I like Gritstone sheep best because they are better
mothers than Cheviots and can stand up to the elements more.
July 11th
For the past three days
the sky has been a clear light blue with warm sunshine and few,
if any, clouds. Today I found another ant’s nest across in the
wood. Rabbits are scarce at the moment either through
over-hunting by poachers or a spreading of myxomatosis. A large
flock of Lapwings flew over the Back Meadow in the afternoon.
There must have been 200 or so.
July 15th
Radcliffe’s have started
hay making. On the bank of the reservoir I found Silverweed in
flower. Saw a Willow Warbler in the trees where the Yellow Flag
flowers. In the marshes the Bog Willow Herb is flowering.
July 20th
This evening the sky has
been a very unusual sight. The sky was a deep clear blue rather
like a copper sulphate solution. The clouds were white tinted
with a deep pink. Some clouds were completely pink. The light
was a purple colour. As the sun started to sink below the
horizon you could not see it. The sky was an orange-pink colour
such as I have never seen before. This was the effect made when
the sun shone through the clouds.
July 21st
In the morning there was
quite a strong wind and the sun shone through a cloudy sky.
Across in My Place Birdsfoot Trefoil, Meadowsweet, Marsh
Woundwort and Sneezewort are flowering. If you look under any
Sycamore leaf on the farm at the moment you will find it is
covered with greenfly. But for some reason the greenfly are not
attracted to Elm leaves.
There
are many young and adult frog hoppers about at the moment. These
charming little creatures hatch out of the cuckoo spit blobs
that maybe seen on grass stems. This year there also seems to be
an abundance of blackfly. This pest usually eats the Thistles
but this year I have seen it on other plants as well.
July 23rd
On the dead tree trunk
near the farm gate I found a slimy, bright yellow fungus
growing. It is called Flowers of Tan.
July 24th
This morning when I went
to let the dogs out there was a racing pigeon in the yard. It
had a drink from the well and appeared to be resting. So I left
a pile of dry dog food for it to eat. It ate some. When letting
the dogs out I had to put them on a lead when walking past the
pigeon.
July 27th
The weather is the same as yesterdays except there was no
fog in the morning. I went a walk up the Back Meadow with Cindy.
She started chasing a rabbit. Then a stunned fox that had
originally been chasing the rabbit looked at me. As if to say
“what on earth is going on about here.” The fox ran away and
Cindy didn’t even see it, or if she did she was certainly more
interested in the rabbit.
On the
Horse Chestnut tree small green unripe conkers have began to
appear. On the Sycamore tree young ‘spinning jennies’ have
started growing. Also on the Ash tree green keys can be seen.
July 28th
The sun is shining and there is a blue sky with several
large cotton wool clouds. The sun is very warm but there is
still a strong cold wind to counteract the suns warmth. In the
Croft by the only Elm tree I saw a dragonfly. It is very rarely
I see one of those fantastic insects. I also saw a Daddy Long
Legs fluttering amongst the grass.
At the
bottom of Hill Sixty the Bog Asphodel plants are flowering.
Further up the hill I saw something moving in the grass which I
thought was a frog. On close inspection I found out it was a
common lizard. The first one I’ve ever seen on the farm.
July 29th
Today there was a clear blue sky with hot sunshine and a
few small breezes. On the reservoir I saw the family of Canada
Geese practising flying. Most of the time they just seemed to
scutter across the water. There were plenty of Cabbage White
butterflies flying about today. On the Hawthorn and Mountain Ash
trees there are clusters of green unripe berries.
For the
past week large flocks of different birds have been meeting at
the reservoir; different types of gulls especially. There were
also large flocks of Lapwings, Starlings and a few ducks. The
ducks have split up into separate groups so that all the female
go in one group and all the male in another. There are many
juvenile birds amongst the flocks that have not yet grown their
adult plumage.
July 30th
Today to my surprise I woke up to find that it was raining
and the sky was just one grey sheet of clouds. Later on the sky
was still overcast but the sun shone through. In the Lane Field
I saw a flock of seven Mistle Thrushes. After the breeding
season is over these Thrushes go about in small family flocks.
Often they keep on the move in the day time searching for food.
Up the
Back Meadow I saw a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly as well as
some Small and Large Heaths. There are always a variety of
orange and brown butterflies flying about the grasses when I go
on my walks. These butterflies are often so different yet so
much alike they are hard to identify.
July 31st
All day the sky has been overcast with clouds. There have
been several showers of rain and in the evening there was some
fog drifting down off the moors. While riding home on my bicycle
from the village I stopped to watch the birds on the island on
the reservoir. I saw all the seven Canada Geese flying together.
The young geese have grown their adult plumage and I can hardly
tell the difference between them and their parents.
When I
got back home I banged the yard scrubbing brush. As per usual
three Earwigs were knocked out. They seem to love living in the
brushes bristles. When I put the brush back down again they
crawled into its bristles once again. Earwigs are very common
about the farm but I can’t say that I like them.