Rosa mentioned her seeing “sun hounds” in the sky. Apparently, these lines between the cloud are indicators of imminent rain. Luckily, that did not materialise in my patrol.
Today my rough butterfly count was Gatekeepers 24; Meadow Brown 12; Marbled White 8; Speckled Wood 6. The latter being close to the Small Copse. There were Skippers too.
A single Goldfinch perched upon Buddleia in the garden. Swallows were active over the Goat Plot and latter I would see House Martins and eventually Swifts on the wing. Upon and short grass path a female Blackbird made an experience. Some thistle down a seed clocks had begun dispersal.
Amongst the downland yellows were Agrimony, Bristly Ox Tongue, Horseshoe Vetch, Ragwort and I would include Lady’s Bedstraw. In the Goat Plot I was delighted to find some Dyers Greenweed. At ankle height fresh Wayfaring Tree was noted whilst a Wren trilled somewhere about the Holm Oak. Outside the Goat Plot fresh Holm Oak growth protruded from the nature tree shelter of Gorse needle cove. Near the mile markers the presence of Yellow Wort made me smile.
Golden Samphire was recognised in the distance at the gully mouth. Back inland Quaking Oat Grass and its “lanterns” was enjoyed. A quick glance, for me, can lead to confusing Dwarf Thistle and Knapweed. Amongst Gorse a Great Tit was observed, presumably harvesting insects. Meanwhile the sounds of Whitethroat, Wood Pigeon and Herring Gull added to the soundscape. Within this was also the rumble of a coaster getting closer to shore.
I headed “upstream” along the gully side to reach the rock exposure. Here a few Centaury flowers, petals pink, core yellow, were enjoyed. Both Privet and Blackthorn growth between the rock exposure, made negotiating the rocky ledge, more challenging. Flushes of Ox Eye Daisies appeared as I ascended. Nearer to the road came a few Yellow Rattle and plenty of Rest Harrow flowers. Red Bartsia was at the tarmac edge as were a few glorious Common Toadflax flowers and a cluster of sunny Fleabane.