Birds and beasts of the heathland barrows

Iping Common, West Sussex Perhaps the round platforms were used for rituals performed by the early farmers who were the first to clear the trees

The ridge of the South Downs to the south is gleaming in the early morning sunshine. The heath and surrounding woods are quieter than they were a few weeks ago. There's much less birdsong now - just a lonely tree pipit still whistling its territorial song from the top of a tall birch.