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Bierton - Walking, wildlife and photography  There are many footpaths through Bierton. From The Coppice up to Hulcott, down to the canal, or up to St. Osyth's Well, the church, and continuing on the other side of the road.
It's remarkable the variety of wildlife that resides and passes through just the 2 small fields nearest to me. Barn Owls, Little Owls, Jays, Woodpeckers, a half dozen varities of butterfly, Red Kites, Foxes, Rabbits, Muntjac Deer, Mallards, Teal, Bats, Moorhens, Magpies, Crows, Wagtails, Robins, Pigeons, Collared Doves, Long-tailed Tits, the occassional Heron, and more. Not to mention the horses!
There are many footpaths through Bierton. From The Coppice up to Hulcott, down to the canal, or up to St. Osyth's Well, the church, and continuing on the other side of the road.
I've really come to love horses since I started walking here. Petting them, or just watching them, It's fascinating to observe, interact and learn so much about them. After a while it becomes easy to know which ones you can feel totally safe with, which to keep an eye on, and what to look out for! I've spent many happy hours wandering about with one or two of them, or sitting on a stile petting them and getting nuzzled.
At this time of year some of the horses go into foal, so i've been approaching them less and waiting for just one to notice me and come over. Too many coming over thinking you have food could lead to a vicious kick for one of them, always something to be avoided, and especially when some are in foal. If you see that one may kick another then a shout and wave of the hands can stop it, as can restraining / getting your arm in the way of them - but only if you know and trust the dominant one well and are out of reach of the others kick. There's always a social pecking order when horses are together, which becomes obvious with a little observation. Note: Don't rely solely on my advice about safety around horses, i'm no professional!
In late spring and summer the fields and hedgerows are full of different butterflies. Peacocks, Tortoiseshells, Blues, Whites, Commas, and more! Why not take your camera and see what you can capture?
Muntjac Deer can sometimes be seen in the fields and hedgerows here too. I was lucky enough to see one only about 15ft away from me last week! I had been petting a horse for ages and saw out of the corner what I assumed to be a dog. When it didn't go away I turned to look at it and was delighted to see it was a Muntjac. Even more surprisingly it didn't run off, so I just carried on as before and am happy to say it hung around a while. I find so often that when other wildlife sees you close to other wildlife that they'll treat you the same.
More photos from here (Click thumbnail for large photo):
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
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