Another Durlston-France time shift confused me upon arrival, but the appearance of the walling stone truck comforted me, I was on time. Bot the driver and I noticed the briefest pitter patter through an Ash tree’s leaves. I suspected it had been a breeze that shook off water droplets from the leaves.
Initially it was passing Swallows seen over Lighthouse Field, but House Martins would eventually be represented also. A feint background hum appeared to be coming from a cruise liner offshore to the west. Flying down the gully a Kestrel ten chose to perch upon a ladder rung of the lowest measured mile marker. Above a trio of Jackdaws remained on the tower top.
It was pleasing to still see roadside flowers of Common Toadflax, Fleabane, Agrimony, Rest Harrow, Red Bartsia and the occasional Greater Knapweed. Above the demo quarr a pair of Carrion Crows set up from the ground. Downslope a squawking took my eyes to see a trio of Magpies amongst several Jackdaws amongst the downland. Pausing upon bramble was a Dunnock whilst the passing wingbeats of a Wood Pigeon were heard.
Entering Saxon I walked under the far reaching branches (and acorn wearing) that stretched westward of the Small Copse. It was too quiet in Saxon and my hunt revealed no Hereford Cattle therein. About Hay Rake Quarr I was please to find a new stem of Autumn Gentian two inches tall and then I found another. Both looked healthy with promise of more flowers to open. Today I counted five Autumn Ladies Tresses spikes. Small flowers of Wild Thyme, “Stars In The Grass” and an Eyebright were spotted. Three Field Scabious flowers were passe during my cattle hunt.
I found fresh cow pats in tasker and the small copse. Here a pedestrian gate was wedge beside our recently installed hanging post it was yet to be mounted upon. Beyond were the cattle, well 32 at least, in Skipworth meadow. I thought what Katie’s weekend must have been like with cattle escaping, most probably because someone failed to shut a gate properly. A cowpat outside the learning centre revealed how challenging the weekend must have been. Please close our gates and continue to enjoy Durlston.