Despite the limited sunlight I had a pleasant patrol. The urban coast wore a belt of sea mist such that the sea and roof tops of tower blocks could only be seen. However, it was clear out to sea with views of St. Catherine’s Head and sea going vessels on the horizon. Where the sun peeped through cloud there was an orange glow.
A light dew had dusted the grass path through South Field. At Hay Rake quarr two score of House Martins swirled overhead. At my feet a Dwarf Thistle and several Wild Thyme flowers provided colour as a Banded Snail explored the sward. Both Raven and Green Woodpecker were head in the distance. I walked through dry stems of Fleabane and Agrimony in Saxon. In Ox Eye Meadow I saw half a dozen Hereford Cattle with two more possibly amongst the scrub margins. Their presence was indicated by the wiggle of Blackthorn as Ivy was pulled from its branches. Another eighteen cattle were in Centenary whilst Johnston appeared empty. However, whilst inspecting the pond electric fence there was more rustling in the scrub. A Magpie cackled then I observed a singing Robin, then I heard the wing beats of a passing Wood Pigeon. For a moment swallows and House Martins circled about me, whilst more activity was over the gully. I enjoyed watching the silent flight and flapping broad wingspan of a Heron as it headed inland.
Up on the coastal ridge a trio of Carrion Crows calling from a Sycamore were soon joined by a fourth. I saw a Bee visit an Ivy flower and occasionally heard a brief Bush Cricket striation. My patience was rewarded as I followed the flight of a bird that I confirmed as being a Song Thrush once it landed. The Cock Pheasant that called was seen upon grassland between scrub in the undulated quarried gully sides.
A Roe Deer galloped from the Small Copse rapidly disappearing coastward. Nearby Blackthorn scrub had been cut into as part of yesterday’s clearing saw training. Near the centre a Chaffinch was seen, and Ian reported todays bird ringer was mostly of Chiff Chaffs, Blackcaps and one Goldcrest.