Thursday 3 May 2012

Their Valley


Today the cold east wind moved the residents out of their 'Valley of the Hinds' early. For them that part of Blacka has many advantages. It covers a large area but is rarely visited by humans, having no formal paths. The deer tracks are many but they have never become anything else. Long may that continue. One deer track leading down from the bridleway soon becomes one of the best places around to acquire a broken ankle, with boulders of every size well disguised by moss and overhanging bilberry. The hinds' resting place of choice catches early morning sun and is well provided with dry bracken litter. From midsummer the new bracken growing tall makes it is an unbeatable hideaway. Views are also excellent including some of the best water features and an attractive woodland edge. In May music of the highest quality is provided from the trees by visiting performers who make no charge for their services. There are not many days like today with brisk winds from the east but when they come it’s best to move further up the valley and that is what they did. Apart from that the only blot on the landscape is some evidence of tree cutting by SWT on the opposite hillside – the usual business of them insisting on leaving piles of birch branches to show they have been here.


It’s often said that hinds and stags go their separate ways after the October rut with single sex groups being commonly seen. But that’s not always. Here we often see a stag amongst the hinds not just the youngest ones either.


Looking carefully you get to recognise the individuals. One of the hinds has a torn ear while another one has brown markings on her face.


No comments: