March 20th 2010

Today I travelled up to Turville to check out the farm I will be working at for the next 6 months. I went up by train to High Wycombe and met Robin at the station. I had never been to Buckinghamshire before, so it was really great to see somewhere new and so beautiful at that! We went to many of the different places that Robin manages, saw the different areas I will be working on and met the workers- the flock! We visited Turville, the home of the Vicar of Dibley and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and stood on the top of Cobstone hill (another grazing site) to take in the view. I could not get over the sheer numbers of Red Kite (Milvus milvus) swooping overhead; I must have seen hundreds throughout the day (pictures will follow- surely here more than anywhere I have a chance at a good shot?!). We stopped off at the farm for lunch and I saw Tony in his infamous ‘bug room’, I can't wait to get to work in there!! Robin and I went to see a few other sites after lunch before I was dropped at the station.

I am so excited about getting involved with such an upcoming project, moving to a new area and learning so many new skills. I will be involved with the practical management side of the grazing projects, as well as the research and monitoring side. I look forward to working with Robin and Tony, I know I will get a lot from the experience and I look forward to really getting stuck in to everything, giving it my all and making the most of my time there.