Allotment

Chose to have an altercation with a farmer on our walk this morning. To our surprise and horror, a field that we'd been walking down the other day where several skylarks had been soaring and twittering above the grasslands had been cut and was being baled. Not a skylark to be heard. I would imagine any nest was destroyed.

The farmer had stopped his tractor so I asked him if he knew that it was illegal to disturb nesting birds. He wasn't interested at all, said what do I want food or birds as the fields were going to be used for livestock. Then accused me of trespassing when the fences that were being put up were blocking a public right of way. I will be taking up both issues with the relevant authorities, the County Council for the footpath and the RSPB or the police (a wildlife crime) for the birds. Skylarks are on the red list. On this field, they've been destroyed. It made our blood boil. There's room for both wildlife and food production to co-exist together.

To readjust we spent time in the garden and at the allotment this afternoon. Solace for the soul.

Susan says a heartfelt thank you for all your messages of good wishes for her landmark birthday yesterday. She had a most memorable time.