A solo Swallow passed over the wildlife garden before I departed. Amongst the hedgerow the shiny and shapely leaves of Black Bryony stood out. Within Skipworth a bounty of Pale Flax was accompanied by Hay Rattle and Common Spotted Orchids, a sight that was to be repeated. Beside Large Copse Elder flowers showed.
The sounds of Chaffinch, Chiffchaff and Wood Pigeon reached my ears. I noted how Sycamore flowers had altered as winged seed pods had begun to replace them. Later I was also to find Wayfaring Tree holding seeds in place of its flowers. It was unusual seeing a Buzzard over Tasker's Meadow. I believe it moved west as another sighting was over Haysom’s Quarry.
Slowing being obscured by Fleabane leaves, amongst others, were the small fronds of Adder's-tongue Fern in Saxon. Here a Whitethroat was seen, thanks to its call, whilst Pheasant and Greenfinch were only heard. Small Blues flittered about the meadows whilst some seven Speckled Wood were found along the sheltered drove, along with one Large White. Of course, thanks to the nesting cover of the meadows Skylarks were active. Honeysuckle flowers bloomed from a Blackthorn host. Rather strangely, I found a short then grass blade size sapling having what looked like a Six Spot Burnet Moth Cocoon upon it, ordinarily seen upon grass blades. Upon the large, reclaimed spoil mound in Eight Acres some Sainfoin was found path side.
I headed out to the western limits to check on the Hereford Cattle in field 3. However, I counted only twenty-six of the supposed forty-four that were meant to be there. Flag Iris showed yellow flowers where in stood in the exposed mud of the dew pond. Jackdaws cackled and fled as I approached the coastal ridge. A more comfortable, perhaps, male Stonechat remained and called from bare wind-swept Hawthorn. Both the sea and grassland were rippled by the wind. Westward sailing sloops travelled soundlessly, unlike the boy racer Jet Ski that appeared to be far to close to the cliffs. Ahead of me upon a mammal track was the speckled breasted specimen known as a Song Thrush, which I suspected of snail hunting. A solo Goldfinch was “clocked” before I returned. Today, David Sagar reported a Bee Orchid in flower between our measured mile markers!