National Trust - Mike Stentiford

7.00 this Sunday morning found Mike Stentiford MBE corralling a group of early risers to herd them down through the National Trusts Fern Valley.

40 of us quietly ambled down, our progress punctuated with Mikes raised hand indicating a moment of silence to pick out the woodlands bird song.
 Jersey has some beautiful hidden delights. Fern valley is surely one of them.

 The mornings avian roll call included the hearty Wren, the redoubtable Robin, the Chiff Chaff, Song Thrush and the ubiquitous Crow. Fern Valley's wetland meadow glistened in the early light and we spoke in hushed tones as we climbed through the treeline.

There's a lovely high point that looks across the valley and we held a reverent silence as the bird song rose. Mike once again managed to pick out each individual grace note pairing each song with its author.

 The leisurely stroll produced a couple of surprise encounters a beautiful small calf.






Three bovine beauties.

The whole lovely episode was over within an hour and a half.  To have an experienced guide like Mike is worth its weight. This minor alliance between Tourism and the National Trust is a worthy venture.






We all came away better informed, exercised and ready for a hearty breakfast all before 9.00 on a Sunday. Sorted.