Stockley Inclosure,New Forest I beget my way back following pony tracks on a path around toppled treesIt’s not long before midwinter’s day when I step out into Stockley Inclosure. It’s brightish, with a chill wind that rustles in the treetops and makes interlacing branches creek eerily as they rub together. Yet, or within a dozen or so paces,my touching shadow pops a peacock butterfly into the air. It rapidly vanishes over a bank of still-flowering gorse. In a sheltered spot, close by a log shorn of all bark, and gathers some filtered warmth. A large hoverfly Eristralis pertinax,basks at one close, while a clutch of bluebottles huddle together at the other. Related: Country diary: New Forest Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com