Yesterday evening I went to see the Autumn Gentian, Autumn Ladies Tresses, and Bastard Toadflax at the Hay Rake Quarr. Unfortunately, I discovered that the electric fence nearby had a broken bottom strand. Luckily, the Herford cattle had not escaped so my walk home was delayed a little. On the National Trust's Spyway Farm I was able to still find a few Vipers Bugloss flowers.
Today I arrived to see Swallows and House Martins in flight as the wind rustled the leaves of Ash, Sycamore and Willow beside the centre. Flowering Mexican Daisy and going to seed Valerian grew out oat the foot of the building's walls. On my way to check the cattle I passed the yellow flowers of Fleabane and Ragwort. Amongst the hedgerow were fruits including Sloes, Rosehips and both ripe and unripe Blackberries and Elderberries. Old Man' s Beard wispy seed pods were ready to set onto the wind.
Under the canopy of the large Copse, I found a Roe Deer form, a bare patch of soil, amongst a carpet of Black Pine needles and the foot of a Holm Oak tree indicated where a mammal had rested. I checked on a relatively freshly excavated Badger hole, however, there were no signs of recent use. I admire a couple of large Elms (Witch) one of which I was unable to get my arms around. Half a dozen Carrion Crows flew up the dry valley from Taskers. Later I would see them upon the coastal ridge. I found dissected Fox leavings, presumably pecked at a bird, or rolled in by a dog. A solitary Bristly Ox Tongue flower on a foot tall stem had evaded the hay cut somehow.
In Saxon the shiny leaves of Black Bryony stood out on a Blackthorn clump. It was a relief to find the Hereford Cattle still within the electric fence in the same area as last night. Some of them had pushed into scrub cover, no doubt the browse upon Ivy leaves that they so like! I admire a hairy "ginger" Pin Cushion Gall upon a wild Rose. A Wasp flew in the sun low over a well-trodden grassy path. Side by side the stems of both Woolly Thistle and Burdock had grown at least to my head height. Calling, a trio of Goldfinches landed in an Elder. Nearby were an additional two more of the birds. A hunted for roadside gentian amongst stony ground, without success. I was surprised to be a bale to see a small Rabbit running (albeit fast) uphill in relatively open cover for some a time. At the Gully rock face, I believe there was a brief interaction between a Carrion Crow and a Kestrel. Off-shore detached clumps of seaweed drifted in a milky tea sea. Strangely, I saw a Herring Gull chase first a trio then a solo Feral Dove along the sea cliffs. Nature is full of surprises!