A golden sun rose high over the castle whilst a chilly breeze blew. A brief inspection of the garden wildlife pond revealed clear and seemingly empty water. Of course, Blue Tits and Great Tits were active about the feeders. A Magpie passed over South Field and another two were found amongst the Hereford cattle. Entering the downland, I was impressed not only that the footings of long-awaited drystone wall rebuild were in place, but also that the cattle had not dislodged them. I had to turn away from a welcome but blinding sun. Heading west I passed a Carrion Crow duo that explored the cow pat marked grassland.
In the blue sky between high cloud vapour trails indicated the passage of aircraft. In the upper gully patch of lush grass were on the level ground between the former quarry workings. Presumably lush due to soil creep and an easy spot for cattle to be and leave their cowpats.
As I ascended the coastal ridge a Blackbird called a brief greeting. A Raven flew over, croaked, and headed seaward. The Raven swooped, rose, and fell over the coastal slope playing with the wind and thermals. Its calls perhaps led to a second such bird arriving albeit taking a straight flight following the coastline. From the ridge I could see St. Alban’s Chapel and I thought I heard a Skylark over the meadows. Upon the reclaimed landfill site nearly two score or Ewes (pregnant) were gazing. Another pair of Magpies occupied Hogget’s Meadow, whilst a Herring Gull flew playfully over eight acres. Another three such birds were to follow from Panorama Road to head seaward. In Holcombe there was much shade from the hedgerow that led to the drove. A tall crown of a slender protruding Hawthorn was moved by the wind and its stem collided with dense Blackthorn and Bramble cover around it.
It was a delight to see and hear a pair of Long Tailed Tits as I entered the drove proper. Another such encounter was to be at the Large Copse. A Chaffinch broadcast near Saxon as was heard a Cockerel from off site.
The wind hissed through a dry Tor Grass sward. Within the branches of otherwise bare Elder it was climbing Blackberry leaves that caught the breeze. In places small patches of light frost sat where they were, so fat, outside of the sun’s reach. Yesterday, several of us working about Swanage Station enjoyed clear views of “Basil” the Fox as it sat a watched us trackside near the signal box.