Upon arrive I was anxious upon hearing much mooing amongst the Hereford Cattle. Had they been separated from their water troughs again? Perhaps a calf had escaped from the herd? Were they hungry? I had no choice but to investigate. However, a glorious sun orb energised me where it sat in open sky between cloud. Short vapour trails formed and soon disappeared.
I squelched and avoided slipping and steeping into deep puddles.
Two, three, no four Magpies were investigating the turf amongst the sodden bales in South Field. A Carrion Crow perched and observed from the hedgerow. It was pleasing still see vibrant mustardy Wild Parsnip growth, Corky Fruited Water Dropwort white flowers, yellows of Bristly Ox Tongue, and pink / blue of Field Scabious. I removed a pedestrian gate to wedged open the field gate to enable cattle access between Ox Eye and Holcombe. They need more grazing. One matriarchal cow appeared to be calling to get the others to join her in Ox Eye. Many cows were amongst the scrubby hollow in Johnston.
I had recently noted fresh green growth of Dyers Greenweed in Johnston but was amazed to find fresh yellow flowers!
Silently a Sparrowhawk flew down the upper gully ravine. Ware droplets caused Sloes, Rosehips & Haws to glisten in the sunlight. Amongst the downland Tor Grass half, the flowers of a Yarrow plant looked good. I heard the rush of many wing beats, then a flock of a least forty Woodpigeon flew over me and only to divide into two groups. Latter I was to see an eighty strong such flock, which suggested they might be assembling before migration.
Roadside the leaves of an Apple Tree rustled in the breeze. Upon the shaded, wooded section of lighthouse road white Viburnum flowers were available for nectar seeking insects. I take this opportunity to thank Peter, Mark & Kevin from the Purbeck wide volunteers whom help us installed a section of barbed wire fence yesterday. Last night 70 plus folk saw “How To Blow Up a Pipeline”…no notes were taken!