June 30th 2016 #30DaysWild

The 30th day and the wettest day of the month I think!

Farmer had to go and mend a fence which the heifers had broken through. I think they liked the look of the wild flowers and just went for it.   It was pouring with rain, but I went with him.

I hadn't walked in the Coronation Meadow for about a week, as my attention has been on the field below the house.   And it changes so much in a week!  There are huge patches of Red Bartsia and White clover, as well as Northern marsh orchids and Greater butterfly orchids in the areas of thinner grasses.  The Tufted vetch is beginning to show through - I am sure that is early compared to other years.

The drainage ditch running through the wetter part of the field is running again, and the Ragged Robin was thriving in the dripping rain.

Today was the last day of #30DaysWild.  I have enjoyed sharing my wild walks again this year, though I haven't had as much time to write.   I don't ever take for granted how lucky we are to live in such a wild place, but the Challenge of doing something each day is a good way of reinforcing how lucky we are!   I am not sure if I will do it next year, time will tell.

June 29th 2016 #30DaysWild

I went down to the graveyard field this afternoon with Farmer, to see if we could let J's heifers and the tups in.  There were so many orchids, I asked Farmer to use another field if he could.
Luckily he has somewhere else he can put them.

We could hear the squeaking call of Buzzards and when we looked, there were 3 of them having a power battle.

Farmer went back up to the farmhouse while I spent over an hour just walking and looking and listening.  It was quite magical.

The month is nearly over.  Just one more day.  I had meant to write about Bracken and what a terrible problem it is across the island, but it will have to wait until next time.

June 28th 2016 #30DaysWild

Even in the rain the field flourishes.  Each day subtle changes as plants grow and thrive in the damp mild weather.

June 27th 2016 #30DaysWild

An abundance of Common spotted orchids... high nature value farming.  My wild time today was back down in the field below the farmhouse.  Its like growing your own sunshine. So cheering.

June 26th 2016 #30DaysWild

The 26th #30DaysWild day and also the day we were hosting  Mull & Iona Food Trail 'Moveable Feast's' event 'Tiffins@Treshnish' - typically it rained all day.  

Instead of picnicking in the Coronation Meadow we had to go for Plan B and picnic in the barn.  Farmer spent most of yesterday cleaning it out, and this morning adorned it with fronds of birch and ferns and a huge tub of campions from the garden.  It looked lovely. 

Instead of heading to Haunn before lunch we walked through the field below the house.  The Common spotted orchids are out in number and there were also Fragrant orchids and lots of Greater Butterfly orchids.

The bank of Common Twayblade were still flowering, but sadly the Bracken has come up and is threatening the variety and abundance of orchids in that area.  

Back to the Barn and Jeanette from Ballygown Restaurant arrived with her Tiffins, filled with delicious Indian curries.

They didn't last long!

Thank you to everyone for coming - and thank you to Jeanette from Ballygown for providing a true Moveable Feast.