Flooded Fields
A flooded field is often either the result of ditches overflowing or water accumulating in low-lying places, but whatever the cause one hardly notices the thing happening. One day, it seems, the field is green and the next under water, but the change does not end there. The life of the field changes too. Before the grass has been covered for many days snipe will be down, feeding around the shallows. If there are ditches about, a moorhen is almost certain to come paddling out, scurrying back to the shelter of the round rushes when disturbed. Although they may not always land, wild duck will sweep down to investigate the new lake. I passed such a place at the week-end. The river had lost its course and had streamed over the field, carrying bits of bushes and branches with it. The water-fowl were there too, and four or five black bullocks stood stupidly on a mound, watching their reflections in the flood. I expect that when I pass again the- flood will have vanished. The field will look dirty and untidy with the debris the river has left stranded, and the birds will have gone leaving the muddy grass to those wintering cattle.
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