Woodoaks Farm

It was a hot sunny afternoon as I made my way along the footpath passing the farm cottages heading towards the milking sheds and the old orchard. No sign of any Little Owls and I fear they may have perished during the severe winter. At the hay meadow 2 Red Kite put in a brief appearance while nearby a male Skylark sung out as it gained altitude before free falling towards the ground. The bank of the footpath heading up towards Ladywalk Wood was covered in flowers and these in turn were covered in Butterflies. Large White, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell were all noted, the latter far outnumbering any other species. Following the overgrown track along the new wooded area that was once set-aside I  noted 2 singing male Common Chiffchaff while Western Jackdaws could be heard from deep inside Ladywalk Wood. Eventually meeting the main footpath I headed back past the manure pile towards the milking sheds and the farm cottages.   

                                         
                                         Small Tortoiseshell feeding on Common Knapweed.

                                                                         Large Skipper.