Despite the evening’s sea mist a few moths had been caught in the light trap, Duke reported a Brimstone, Light Feather Rustic, Hebrew Character, Shuttle Shaped Dart, Dark Sword Grass, a Grass Veneer species, and a Common Footman caterpillar. Cloud hid the neighbouring coastal settlements, however, sun managed to create a golden patch of sea on the horizon. Such a calm sea provided good conditions for a marine watch. In the bay were a Gig Rowing team and two canoes containing anglers.
A male Great Tit, a Bullfinch and Carrion Crow perched in the traffic island Elms. Shiny Black Bryony leaves spiralled one slender trunk. Beautiful upright white Horse Chestnut flowers contrasted with its dropping large palmate leaf sets. Unseen insects buzzed amongst these flowers overhead. Long Meadow hedge contacted Dog Wood buds, the beginning of Field Maple “spinning jenny” seed pods and Cherry Blossom that already had dropped petals on the path. Ground Elder was beside Mares Tail below. Blackthorn was smothered with healthy Branching Lichen which held “Shrek Ear” like spore bodies. Only a few Cowslips were at the entrance end of Long Meadow along with one large and robust Early Purple Orchid. On Solent Road verge one Broomrape stood under tree cover.
Monkey-like Grey Squirrels sprung between the coastal Holm Oaks. Gallery terrace was visited by a charm of Goldfinches, whilst upon the sea a few Guillemots drifted towards Swanage on the current. One Shag flew low over the sea to the east whilst a high-flying Cormorant went west. In castle wood one Bay Tree retained a solitary berry and nearby its only cluster of buds. Upon a well shaded Sycamore branch a yellow Witches Butter fungi stood out in the gloom and was seen on a Holm Oak log too.
I enjoyed the scent of roadside Apple Blossom before hearing a Song Thrush near Small Copse and seeing a Raven on each of the measure mile markers. Beside the Learning Centre a pair of Pied Wagtails explored the ground as a Kestrel passed up above.