FIRST FLEDGLING

I can't believe this is the first fledgling I've seen; I've heard them shrieking in the trees, but seen none until this little sparrow today:

There have been a lot of wide open beaks today.

 

The Woodpecker is getting more brave about coming close to the window.

Even daring to turn his back on me:

The sun came out this evening. Everything looks better in the sun.

Earlier today I went looking for Orchids in the marsh AGAIN. Still no Orchids but ponies instead. Will:

Frisky colts:

And a new half sibling for foal number 3 (above right). What a little sweetie. Won't be easy to identify but, given that number three is STILL never far from his mum, this one might be the same. It is very, very tiny:

I noticed these red marks on a wall ladder, which set alarm bells ringing. A near neighbour said they had heard the organisers of the Ten Tors Challenge (see: http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/ten_tors.htm for info) were considering using Kestor as a checkpoint. It has never been used before and the news was greeted with alarm from the few residents close by, us included. 

As I approached the rocks, my fears were realised; there was an army tent pitched and, nearing home, military helicopters were in evidence and support vehicles appearing. The lane which leads to our tiny hamlet is very narrow and is not designed to carry the kind of traffic that will inevitably appear over the next two days as adoring parents realise their offspring will be checking in at a rare point with vehicular access of any kind. We don't have the parking here and the moor will be damaged by cars parking where they shouldn't. I don't want to pour cold water on what is a fantastic event but it seems to be a victim of its own success, with more and more teams participating every year. Helicopters have continued to fly over this afternoon and M tells me there is now what looks like a full field kitchen and medical centre parked on the main path up the hill. A lovely friend is driving me to Totnes tomorrow so I'll be out of the way, but will try and get some photos of the event when I get home or on Sunday. 

So, until next time, have a great weekend and think of those teams of teenagers trudging over Dartmoor.....rain is forecast! Here are my two lovely boys, who won;t be getting their usual walks as we will be living in Piccadilly Circus for the next two days.