Upon a Wayfaring Tree there were berries from a very pale brown to a dark purple with reds in between. Overhead passed a Swallow duo whilst Wood Pigeon calls and aircraft rumbles and a distant Cockerel created the soundscape. The rapid turn around of the hay making was impressive (providing all bale get removed) and bales were inspected for bird pellets…no success. In the distance a bird, probable a Carrion Crow, perched on a bale, but I was for something more.
Finally, Ted’s “Stars in the Grass” or Bastard Toadflax were found, being a miniature plant spreading close to the ground near Saxons Hay Rake Quarr. Eye Bright, Ox Eye Daisy, Dwarf Thistle and Greater Knapweed retained some colour. Within Saxon Whitethroats were heard and a Roe Deer emerged from Bracken to disappear into taller and denser cover. Bracken was hosting Old Man’s Beard, both which should be weakened by eventual Hereford Cattle grazing. A Gatekeeper made a brief flight as even more Swallows flew higher and headed east. Buddleia still held flowers in a scrub dominated corner. Short “itching” sounds were those of Grasshoppers, whilst Bush-crickets performed longer calls.
The distinctive two bulbous body parts indicated an Ichneumon Wasp, back and yellow with yellow legs. I believe this was one of the Ichneumon suspiciosus. Field Bindweed exhibited white flowers with five petals not fully open, thus resembling small origami containers. Upon the downland dark-brown, dry Dock flowers were noted. An unidentified Fly (let us call it Frederick) visited Fox Faeces which consisted of many Blackberry seeds.
A few Goldfinches were active near the Stevenson’s Screen. Meanwhile from a bare Ash stem, protruding through scrub, perched a silent male Blackbird. Said bird appeared to have several feathers missing about its head.
It was damp under foot. In places well worn (or excessively used?) paths had eroded to expose Blackthorn and Hawthorn roots. This being an indication of visitor pressure. And no not all paths should be surfaced, certainly not in a National Nature Reserve.