I stepped outdoors into mist which meant I would not see St. Alban’s Head until I reached Durlston, when the risen sun burnt the most off. My commute saw my passing through dew laden grassland and setting up four Pheasants.
At Durlston I delighted at finding a few flowers. A small group of Honeysuckle flowers were amongst knee high Bramble. There was a sprinkling upon the sunny side of Gorse. Five Ox Eye Daisies bloomed at the east end of the ridge. Alongside, lighthouse were Buttercups, Ladies Bedstraw (in the cutting) and Common Toadflax near the quarr. Whilst seeking an elusive Woodpecker I found a solitary white Wild Rose amongst the Tor Grass of the quarried landscape.
Linnets passed overhead and a Carrion Crow greeted me when I reached Durlston. The bird moved from a perch on the dry-stone wall onto a leafless Hawthorn. One of many Robins sang out. I noticed Pin Cushion Galls upon a Wild Rose, two Galls being conjoined. Dew showed up a sheet spiders web beside Blackberries. I broke three web threads all over a metre long, where they crossed the path. I walked through newly installed gate post that awaited a gate. All to improve access by replacing a stile.
A Whinchat departed from a Bramble tendril as the Hereford Cattle grazed, beyond in Eight Acres. A pair Magpies perched either side of the hollow that passes trough field three, almost like guards. The Sycamore at the east end of the ridge, now wore only one third of its leaves. Another Sycamore beside horseshoe bridge showed a bark less trunk and dried leaves. It was likely that this was the result of bark stripping by Grey Squirrels. A two-metre-tall Sycamore wore a vine & going over fruit of Black Bryony. The big bridge side Sycamore first housed a Carrion Crow and two Jackdaws, then a pair of Wood Pigeon and latter, flittering between the leaves at the branch tips were a pair of Chiff Chaff like warblers. One of a pair of Meadow Pipits briefly perched on Pat & Johns stone seat. Although I saw no Woodpecker I had to be content with glimpsing a Jay.