Left alone, the field ecology develops at its own pace and in its own way. Last year was a year of recovery after the brush-cutting, which left a lot of debris and damaged plants. The long grass grew up, creating the habitat for many field vole families. Now the pasture is ideal for foraging pheasants, whose numbers generally swelled during lockdowns because fewer were killed on the roads.

Here’s a group 4 cock pheasants, possibly from the same brood.