June 26th

Another warm, dry and sunny morning, with only a whisper of a breeze. 

We left the house at 6.55 a.m. and went again straight to the ravens field. As in the last mornings, the big field and the bottom of the ravens field was populated by jackdaws and seagulls. There was even a black-headed gull in the ravens field - what it was doing there, at this time of its breeding cycle, I don't know! 

But it certainly couldn't have been more black-headed!

The same two ravens - one of the quarry pair, and the bold raven's companion - were in the ravens field. The quarry raven only came once to get some scraps. That was when we were at the far side, near the fence to the allotments. He still waited for the bold companion to pick up her scraps first and fly off.

He did not follow us when we walked to the wall and towards the spinney. 

Only the bold companion came, but she seemed a bit listless, only taking a couple more scraps. When she flew off towards the allotments, I thought her wings looked a bit depleted - she may well have lost some feathers there, moulting.

I believe the continuing heat and dryness, as well as the moult, has made the ravens retreat to some places where they feel less exposed, where the ground is softer and where they find easier pickings. Like the allotments further on, behind the horse paddocks.

A year ago, when the grass was green and the ground soft because we didn't have this stretch of dry weather, there were ravens around in the ravens field - we saw them on our walks with Madame and Bas.

No rain forecast for the next three days ... but more heat and sun.