Because of the downpour before my commute, I was overdressed this morning amongst the sun and cloud. Thanks to the rain a quarter of a rainbow arc stemmed from the Large Copse, stretched over South Field but only was seen where cloud was behind it. From Taskers, the rainbows end had “relocated” suggesting the pot of gold was no on Townsend!
The Durlston Hay Cut has begun! The contractors had worked from the west only starting on Johnston Meadow leaving those eastward currently uncut. Field 2 would not be cut due to the Hereford Cattle having “modified” a dry-stone wall so to graze beyond.
Sunlight glistened off silvery whisps of Old Man’s Beard. Magpies cackled whilst Carrion Crow foraged amongst Boys Brigade. This was repeated in Eight Acres where a Gatekeeper flew over cut flowers that were now lined out to dry and become hay.
Black Pine branch tips moved in the breeze at the Large Copse, lower down Ash masts dangled over the woodchip path. Field Scabious was amongst Tasker’s flowers, with Fleabane and Tufted Vetch at the path edges. Red Bartsia flowers were visited by a Bee. In the sun Grasshoppers were heard from the meadow whilst both a Hover Fly and Buff-tailed Bumblebee explored the hedgerow. Only fruits were upon the hedgerow Privet and Blackthorn. Bristly Ox Tongue released seeds to the breeze. Elsewhere a group of four Gatekeepers had a flutter dance, possibly competing for the few Blackberry flowers nectar. Vapour trail marked the blue shy between cloud. Of sure were boats, no seabirds, and an MN lines coaster heading for Poole harbour. Looking across the upper gully, a metallic red bundle on the coastal ridge was initially mistaken for a discarded balloon. Of course, it was a male Pheasant! I delighted at the “lemon & custard” colours of Common Toadflax flowers and a few Yellow Wort stems in the sun on a quarried slope. White Yarrow bloomed nearby. In the gully cut, a spider web strung between Gorse needles had simple caught a Gorse seed pod.