A flurry of bird activity revealed a female Black Cap (with a brown cap), Whitethroat (of which there were to be many more), Goldfinch, Blackbird and a Magpie. Large pineapple sized clusters of mast dangled from an Ash, whist those of Field Maple cloaked the floor. Under the canopy of castle wood there was the pitter patter of water droplets cascading from leaf to leaf without any rain. From the diagonal path the southern horizon had cloud meeting sea. Moisture made spiders wens easier to see, some flexed and stretched in the breeze. Stems of Gorse resembled bandaged fingers, presumably nursery tents of spider mites or caterpillars.
A bare Hawthorn, only wearing Lichen and Ivy, showed a Great Tit briefly perching. Another healthy leaf and berry laden Hawthorn had many birds passing through including Blue Tit, Whitethroat and Robin. Jackdaws perched in Tamarisk with sixteen eventually flew west. From the damp vegetation, Grasshoppers “sang” where sunlight reached them. Upon Knapweed clung a Banded Snail, whilst Garden Snails were found at the end of the diagonal.
A good bloom of Sea Aster was at Tilly Whim steps and the Gully Mouth. The sea cliffs themselves were quiet, other than Feral Dove appearance. Two Shag and a Herring Gull headed west. The sound of rock licking waves was soothing.
In the gully a Carrion Crow perched upon a telegraph pole whilst two Jackdaws were on the wire beside. From a distance it appeared to be a Jay that was preening upon the gully rock exposure. Kidney Vetch and Wild Thyme were below the mile markers.
Upon the gully slopes two Common Blue butterflies upon the wing as were a few micro moths about the rock exposure. Both Hedge and Ladies Bedstraw bloomed between the rock exposure crevices. Appropriately a male Stonechat was finally found at the edge of Gorse. A Gatekeeper flew weakly amongst the wet vegetation, clearly needing some sunlight. Before reaching the rain gauge a brown, furry three-centimetre Fox Moth caterpillar was seen. The last 24 hours rainfall reached 17.75 mm! Welcome to September.