At last, proper rain has greened the scorched pastures and washed shrivelled leaves and nut husks along the narrow lanes. Springs dribble and streams remain low; inspection of our well, dug more than a century ago by the legendary “Diver/Diviner” Cullas of Metherell, reveals a water level better than feared, but we remain cautious in our use.
On the exposed northern edge of the parish, overlooked by Kit Hill and the distant blue haze of Dartmoor, Larkrise’s rewilded 10 acres of poorly drained land shows ever more growth. The thorny boundary hedge, with purple sloes, blackberries, scarlet hips and masses of haws, encroaches on planted trees – extra protection from predatory deer. The mix of guarded trees are tall and vigorous, interspersed with open patches of seeding knapweed, grasses, plantains and rattle. The guelder rose, spindle, holly and buckthorn already produce berries, less than seven years after this project began.
Particularly sturdy are the seedling oaks, growing in-situ near their parent, a 200-year-old spreading oak tree. Formerly grazed off by livestock, rabbits and deer, these strongly rooted saplings have been meticulously marked, staked and guarded and their leaves host spangle and silk-button galls.
Despite the drought, none of the recently excavated ponds have dried up completely. Clayey sides and bottoms, and heaps of stony spoil are colonised with vegetation, helped by the owners James and Mary who transplant and spread indigenous plants, seeds and cuttings.
Towards the lowest boggy ground, the widest and newest expanse of water is a regular feeding station for skimming swallows. Today, blue sky reflects among water weeds in one of the deeper ponds; two young buzzards cruise overhead, sounding distinctively melancholic; goldfinches swoop among thistledown, and this year’s ubiquitous clouded yellows flit about purple loosestrife and buddleia. Trip cameras record the regular presence of fox, roe deer and barn owl. Moorhens live here and the local small mammal society documents assorted vole and shrew species plus weasels.
Homewards, via Down Lane, where hedgerows are thick with incipient hazel catkins, we pass the adjoining farmed enclosure. Inside a gateway of hard trampled earth, bullocks range across the sparse pasture, where grazing is supplemented with winter’s fodder.
• Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian’s Country Diary, 2018-2024, is available now at guardianbookshop.com
