Journeying

The natural world impinges upon our lives, even in the most unexpected of places. Stopping at the Chieveley Services on the M4, we ate sandwiches in the car watching three rabbits feeding on a nearby plantation. Before long, a Red Kite flew over, though this did not disturb the rabbits in any way. Otherwise, it soon became apparent when taking Dylan for some exercise, that another form of rodent makes its home around the service area; rats. These unwelcome visitors were evident from a number of holes in the embankment and the numerous bait stations that were strategically placed. The amount of rubbish that collects around the periphery of the area is no doubt one of the attractions for these creatures, and it beholds the company to take more care of their immediate environment.
Two more Red Kites were seen low over the motorway as we continued our journey west. These birds have been introduced from Sweden and from once being an extremely rare sight, they are now commonly seen across many parts of the country.
As we got close to our destination, we came across a field presenting a most extraordinary sight. Dotted around the field must have been thirty to forty Mute Swans. Close to the river it may have been but such a collection of these birds is very unusual in my experience.