Another circular Sunday morning walk on the South Downs.

This time of year, Rooks are re-establishing their nest sites. Rookerys are known for high noise levels, territorial disputes, and intense activity during nesting season.

Goldfinch.

Yellowhamer.

Brown Hare,

On the route, there is a memorial to a WW2 accident where 33 were tragically killed.

In early 1944, numerous training exercises were being undertaken in preparation for the Allied invasion of D-Day.

On the 4th April 1944, 1 HGSU, Horsa 1 glider, LG999 towed by Stirling IV LJ-842 of 196 Squadron took part in a large-scale glider exercise code-named ‘Exercise Dreme’.The night exercise of various legs was to take 3.5 hours, and the gliders were to be released over Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The glider occupants were two glider pilots and members of No. 3 Platoon, ‘A’ Company, 7th (Airborne) Division, King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

Low cloud was reported in the Lewis area and on the leg from Lewis to Winchester. As the towing Stirling descended through the clouds, it hit a tree. The glider released immediately and crashed in Warnford. All 27 men on board the Horsa LG999 were killed. The Stirling flew on for another 15 minutes when it stalled, and crashed at 21:00 hours one-mile south-west of Romsey, some 18 miles from the site of the glider crash, and all six crew members were killed.