Yesterday at dusk I saw a Bat (Pipistrelle most likely) flying towards Long Meadow from castle car park. Whilst walking the coastal ridge home I saw a procession of bright headtorch wearing walkers heading in the opposite direction on the coast path below. I felt sorry for their not being able (or brave enough) to adapt to the night light, however, I understood that their legs may have been caught by less Brambles! In the moth trap Duke and Ryan reported Feathered Thorn as being the dominant species accompanied by Red Green Carpet, Rusty Dot Pearl, Lunar Underwing and Rush Veneer.
This morning a heavy due showed up the paths taken by other ear risers. My boots were drenched but cleaned. Dew drops perched on the tips of Blackberry tendrils. Two vapour trails suggested, to me, that a pair of Kamikaze pilots had flown into the sun. A waning gibbus moon was in the sky. I set up a Skylark before entering Durlston and then one Magpie upon arrival. Flowers still consisted of a few Knapweed, Self-Heal and Gorse whilst Scentless Mayweed cover had dwindled in the otherwise empty dew pond. A trio of Sika Deer grazed field 1. I negotiated the slippery polished limestone and exposed clay of the north – south drove to view the cattle. I was content to see 26 of 46 Hereford cattle upon the reclaimed landfill. I passed a pair of Great Tits which we followed by a vociferous solo male. I believe I saw five Field Fare perched in a Sycamore. In Saxon a pair of male Blackbirds emerged from thorn cover. I had to place myself in the south side of this field with my back to the sun so to attempt to see the birds I heard. A Robin then two Goldfinches were seen. A few short stemmed (because of the thin soils) Ox Eye Daisy flowers were near the Hay Rake. Unfortunately, the non-native Cotoneaster bushes were absolutely flooded with vibrant red fruits. Two croaks revealed a passing Raven soon having a follower. One ant hill stood out being dominated by moss cover apart from patches of bare soil.
Under the Large Copse canopy, I watched a Squirrel in the Holm Oak. Box also retained its leaves as did some Ash and Sycamore beneath the canopy cover. Before leaving I picked up the musky scent of Fox and then smell of Nettle that was being warmed by the sun. In the distance looking across Skipworth Meadow, I saw a Jay retreat into cover. I admired the tight cone upon the Monterey Cyprus that leant through the dry-stone wall. A second Woodpigeon flock appeared to be 80 in number.