Water Levels are so low on the Test that a pair of Grey Herons is now roosting in a dead tree in the bottom western corner and fishing in the river. They like to stand in the middle 50 yards down river of the bridge and ar unmoved by dogs. They seem to have more success in fishing than I do as during a 2 minute period I saw them catch three fish.

It was a busy summer on the Common thanks to the wonderful weather. There were times when the area around the little bridge was a busy as Brighton Beach, but by 5 .00pm every evening peace returned and the trout were rising in the pool by the ford and the kingfishers were perched on a branch above. The bridge is great place to watch the sun go down. In mid summer it sets behind the clump of trees on the hill way to the North but in winter it sets above Stockbridge, or that is what it seems.

The ragwort pull had to take place again to stop the spread of this foreign weed, this takes a full weekend for the handful of volunteers who bend their back to the task. The rabbits are the cause of the spread of thistles which at time seems to be getting out of hand. As they burrow further the new soil thrown up is a great home for the blowing thistle seeds. They are cut every year in the late summer but will return again and again. 

The kestrel that I think was nesting or at least roosting in the hawthorn tree in the middle of the Common by the main ditch was mobbed this week by a flock of crows. It was amazing to see it in a flock of birds which stewarded it off the Common. Can’t think why as the kestrel is not a predator of crows and the nests would be empty of chicks at this time of year.

Another cow died so the grazer had to collect the poor beast and pay an abattoir £80 to dispose of the carcass. The days of letting the hunt take the body is over, seems such a waste. This is the second cow the grazer has lost this year; I hope it will not put him off grazing here. The cows are a part of the Common. Seeing them crossing the Test in the early morning or late evening and standing in the mist which follows the river is magical. I would miss that sight.  

 

	About as near to a Cuckoo as you are likely to get

Cuckoo

I heard the first cuckoo on the 15th April at the Western edge of the Common. Last year it roosted in a large tree edging the Common. It is easy to spot as its flight is distinctive, it does not raise its wings above its body. It is the size of a magpie/dove-sized bird with blue grey upper parts, head and chest with dark barred white under parts. With their sleek body, long tail and pointed wings they are not unlike kestrels or sparrow hawks. Sexes are similar and the young are brown. They are summer visitors and well-known brood parasites, the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, especially meadow pipits, dunnocks and reed warblers. Their population has shown moderate declines recently making them an Amber List species. The unmistakable sound of the Cuckoo is a sure sign that spring has arrived.  Few people are unfamiliar with the song of the Cuckoo, but its not that often you get a good view.  Beware that Collared Doves can imitate Cuckoos very well! At first glance, a Cuckoo in flight might be mistaken for a Kestrel; they are long-tailed and long-winged and have a fast flight.  If your lucky enough to get a view of one perched you will see a grey bird about the size of a Collared Dove with long, sometimes drooping, wings and with strongly barred under parts.  The females have a slight brown tinge across the breast. 

Once again a full bunch of carnations and roses has been laid on a mole hill near the little bridge. This used to be a regular feature last year but either I have missed them or who ever it is who leaves the flowers has been away. It would be nice to share in the secret of the flowers and the memory they are honouring. Has any one any idea?

This is the second in the monthly series on the Common.

One bonus of the dull days is that it fooled the barn owl into thinking that night had come early. I was treated to the sight of this magnificent bird patrolling the Common in search of food. The great white wings and the low flight pattern made it easy to see. The little Egret is still here and the grey heron, one sometimes two, are becoming a permanent feature. Perhaps the low water level makes it easier for these birds to catch fish.

February starts dull and cold and reminds one that this is why the birds and many local people fly off to warmer climes this month. But the snow drops come out to light up the days and hint of the spring to come. The Common is very dry; none of the areas which are usually flooded in the winter are even damp. The chalk ground freezes and expels water which evaporates away making the ground even dryerFebruary starts dull and cold and reminds one that this is why the birds and many local people fly off to warmer climes this month. But the snow drops come out to light up the days and hint of the spring to come. The Common is very dry; none of the areas which are usually flooded in the winter are even damp. The chalk ground freezes and expels water which evaporates away making the ground even dryer.

	The Test running through Chilbolton Common

 

This is the first of a series of monthly comments and photographs about the Common. January started with quiet days and cold nights. The waters sparkled and dead trout could be seen exhausted by spawning or lack of food. In shallow water their bodies could be seen providing food for crayfish and pike, nothing in nature is wasted. Sparrow hawks were in evidence snatching blue tits from bird tables and chasing blackbirds through the thickets where they tried to hide. Water levels are still low as there has been very little rainfall in December and the early days of January were also dry. Here we have the view which everyone remembers of the Common on a clear warm day.

And then the high pressure came and we had several days of very hard frost. The difference in temperature between the A30 and the Common was 5 to 6 degrees recorded in my car as I drove down into the valley.The frost and slight snow flurries transformed the vistas. Walking around and seeing the warmer air rising from the river and the sharp frosted grass was wonderful. Even branches flowing down the river had icicles dripping from them.

Chilbolton Cow Common

The Common was formed as a once mightier River Test cut its way to the sea. The hills to the North and South of the valley would have marked the banks of the Test. In medieval times the Common was part of the Wherwell Priory and subsequently given to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester by Mary Tudor to assist in defraying the cost of her wedding in Winchester cathedral.These meadow lands were changed in the 17th and 18th centuries by the creation of what were called floating water meadows. The river waters were encouraged to flood the meadows via wide, shallow ditches, assisted by dams and sluces, so that the grass was nourished by river waters and protected from frosts. This made possible earlier lambing and increased sheep stocking, ensured a supply of hay in dry times, and where the land was ploughed, promoted the increased yield of corn. The two springs in the Northern part of the Common were dug out to improve the flooding of the adjacent land. In later times the Common was grazed by up to 50 head of cattle during the summer.So the natural formation of the valley land which forms the Common laid the basis, the soil types’ But the land was changed by man and these changes can be seen today in the wild life which has made its home here.The soil is a mixture of chalk and peat which can be found in different part of the Common and at differing depths. A very wide range of common and rare flowers and orchids are to be found, if you know where to look. As the moisture content changes so quickly the ground can become a patchwork of colours as different plants show their preferred place to live. Vivid Yellow Iris’s flower in the bottom of ditches and Cowslips flower in the chalk sides.

A large number of British birds are resident or visitors to the Common. However the increased use of the Common has resulted in the loss of ground nesting birds such as the Snipe and the Red Shank. The last Snipe probably nested in 1993 as it was seen “drumming” in the spring of that year. Skylarks, Sparrows, Lapwings have gone but Kestrels, Egret’s and now Red Kites can be seen and a Kingfisher breeds successfully in a garden adjoining the Common. The open nature of the Common attracts hawks, owls and buzzards have been seen eating rabbits. The many winter bird visitors seem to be more tolerant to the increasing use of the Common as they just take the food they need, rest and continue on their way.

There are plenty of mammals on the Common, deer can be seen even during the day and there are enough of foxes and badgers to keep down the mice and shrews which are in abundance. Rabbits make warrens in the chalk, which attract thistles and moles love the peat throwing up new hills which are soon covered in fresh grass. 

The Test provides a wonderful habitat for fish which like fast flowing chalk streams such as trout, brown and rainbow, grayling, pike, eels and perch. There are also crayfish. The otter has been spotted once recently and has left signs on the Common and the small island in the main Test. Water voles and water shrews are rare but more common than they have been, I seem to think.

This is one of the few places on the Test Walk a 48 mile footpath, where the Test can be seen, splashed in and enjoyed. People and nature can live together in these changing times. The Common is in good heart and with the help of volunteer group’s ragwort is contained and the ditches are kept clear.English Nature has overall control in the management of the Common and its expertise is respected. We are fortunate to have such an excellent site of SSI in our village for us all to enjoy. 

Dr Michael Moser, Acting Chair, English Nature, said that working closely with the owners, occupiers and users to monitor the Chilbolton Cow Common Site of Special Scientific Interest and advises on management.  It is due to these good working relationships that the site is currently in favourable condition and is there for the future for everyone to enjoy".