Out In The Fields - Gary Moore

A fairly extensive coverage of Parley Court Farm resulted in recording 61 species of bird (including 2 additions to the Year List), c5 mammals along with a couple of unexpected finds. Always a treat to be able to wander the banks of the

RIVER STOUR
unhampered by anyone else

and enjoy, particularly at this time of season, the open Meadows,

 mature Hedgerows,

Stables and

Mighty Oaks.

I wandered lonely as a cloud 
that floats on high o'er vales and hills.
 When all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils.
 William Wordsworth
Yeah, OK they are DANDELIONS but we're all entitled to
a little Poetic Licence!

Another most welcome Year Tick as this is the sole survivor
of what were originally 13 FARMYARD GEESE

A regular visitor to the Cornucopia just outside the kitchen window
through which this image was taken.

Having walked the western perimeter fence of Bournemouth International Airport you arrive at the latch-gate leading to Palmer's Ford and the entrance to the northern half of Parley Court Farm. The path is more like a woodland ride and despite the continuous rumble of lorries and other vehicles is a haven for an abundance of wildlife. Archers were already practising their sport as a small white Butterfly was spotted and nearly passed off for a Small White. Closer inspection revealed it to be a

GREEN-VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY

never reported from the property prior to this which is more likely to have been overlooked, which was nearly the case today, than not seen.

RED ADMIRAL

SPECKLED WOOD

along with a 'ROOKERY' which I have never noticed before.

WREN

Thought (by me) to be synonymous with Autumn,
there seem to be a lot of
CRANEFLIES (or Daddy Long-legs)
around now in the Spring?? as was the case today.

BRIMSTONE
probably the most numerous Butterfly on the wing today.
Others included Peacock, Orange-tip, Small Tortoishell and Holly Blue

PARLEY LAKES
maintained for the exclusive use of the
Ringwood Angling Society.
 

and finally, this HURCULES TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

was of some interest especially when I learnt from a reliable source

that it is used for Special Boat Service (SBS)

parachute training.