Whilst separating the Hereford cattle yesterday (9 upon Townsend & 40 in 3 &b 6a including Bull) scampering along the quarry track was either a Stoat or Weasel.
Despite it being cloudy, damp, and breezy insects were still upon the wing. Striations of Grasshoppers and Crickets seeped out of the South Field sward. Upon Self Heal was a Skipper (another was found upon Greater Knapweed), a Meadow Brown fluttered by whilst a cocoon upon a grass stem was evidence of Six Spot Burnet Moth. Overhead was the flight of a Swallow.
Fruits were seen in several locations including the winged seed pods of cousins Field Maple and Sycamore. Sloe and Haws were upon their respective Thorns whilst the berries of Honeysuckle could be found amongst both. Bittersweet berries clung to the hedgerow, whist an Elder wore more unripen fruit than flowers. Meanwhile, Stinking Iris seed pods had ballooned.
About Hay Rake Quarr’s thin soils were Wild Thyme, Eyebright, Quaking Oat Grass, and Bastard Toadflax with its miniature four petal white flowers. Yellow Wort was about the quarry hollow edge. In the meadow Hay Rattle began to live upon to its name, thanks to its seed pods. It was accompanied by Red Bartsia, mostly the seed pods of Pale Flax as well as Pyramidal Orchids. A Hunting Spider’s nursery tent held dew drops. One Ladybird was harvesting Aphids that had infested Woolly Thistle. Teasel heads had also attracted these tiny creatures.
It was whilst walking across the gully slope that the most Marbled Whites of the morning were flushed. Two pairs of Goldfinches were the obvious chattering and undulating passers-by. A handful of Jackdaws set up and went east from the Lighthouse whilst the feintest Raven call was heard. Beside the tarmac flowered Common Toadflax.