There were a few near ripe Blackberries near the centre. Both a Gatekeeper (still the most abundant butterfly) and a Speckled Wood search for the plants few remaining flowers. Eventually I succumbed and at my first Durlston Blackberry, of the year, in Centenary. From the floor of South Field rose a Carrion Crow which went to join another in Large Copse. Despite being close to each other, much calling persisted.
A Meadow Pipit was heard, whilst the forty-five degree upward then downward glide of a Wood Pigeon made me smile. Later another such bird was observed in flight emitting a squeak with each wing beat, resembling a noisy door hinge. Noisily a trio of Herring Gull headed west. One Gatekeeper visited one of the many small Red Bartsia flowers by the path side. Entering Saxon, the cackle of a Magpie was heard. Another search for Bastard Toadflax was unsuccessful at Hay Rake (Tiller) Quarr. However, it was a surprise to discover a few Kidney Vetch flowers amongst the short turf. A patch of yellow flowered Dyers Greenweed was at the edge of the scrape. A distant Cockerel was heard, whilst the barking of dogs I tried to ignore. Visiting a Woolly Thistle flower was a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee. Today several silent Whitethroats were seen. Upon the drove, a splendid, sheltered Butterfly corridor, both unripen and shrivelled Rose Hips, hung from Dog Rose at the sides.
I was delighted not the find Hereford Cattle in Herren Ground. Also relieved to find the blue cord loop, not having been removed from the Field Gate this time. Although a runner raced past, gates were closed behind. In Haysom, the cattle huddle at the lowest point where one of the Winterbournes can flow through. In Johnston a Song Thrush was found upon the crown of a Hawthorn. One dozen chattering Goldfinches passed by. Heard before being seen, came a duo of vocal Raven. One dead Elder, cloaked in Ivy at its lower levels, hosted a Carrion Crow in a bark-less branch. I disconnected the energiser from the electric fence in the Upper Gully and notice a Magpie duo upon the path. Below a trio of Jackdaw were upon Lighthouse building roof tops, many more were latter seen and heard rise from the Green.