Mrs Down's Diary

The eleventh heifer, however, will not join her sisters in the field. She was the victim of a management mistake and was not dehorned when young. As a result, she sports some rather wicked-looking headgear and has quickly learnt to bully the other heifers if she wants to be first into the barley trough.

One of the older suckler cows is also horned and was a real nuisance over winter when at the silage face. She knew the other cows would get out of the way if she gave them a swift jab with her horns, and although no damage was caused, John was especially fearful that one of the calves might be harmed. She, too, is bound for market once her calf is weaned.

The swallows will not be joining many more market trips. The fledglings are fully grown and will leave the nest in the next couple of days.

Both Mum and Dad sit patiently on the telegraph wires waiting for the trailer (where they nested) to return home. This morning they both had beaks stuffed with insects and were straight in once the trailer was parked up.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette August 27