I left behind the bird ringer sound recordings and headed for the Large Copse. Another, for now, sunny & breezy morning with much Martin and Swallow activity. A leaf laden Field Maple held no masts, had they already been shed? Apparently both male and female parts exist in each of the plant inflorescence.
Black Pines stood tall above the remained of the Larges Copse stand. Leaves and needles at all levels were moved by the breeze. Squawks again suggested two hidden Magpies. Acorns were held by Holm Oak, whilst the woodchip path was marked by small excavations, potentially those of a Badger. An Ivy carpet was punctured by Elm suckers and windblown seedlings of Ash and Sycamore. Calls rung out from Carrion Crows above. Happily, the Hereford Cattle grazed within the electric fence at Taskers Meadow. I failed to see the additional seven then were hidden in distant Jack Baiss Meadow. Within the unintentionally grazed Saxon Field, a stand of Fleabane still marked damper ground. Near the Hay Rake, Yarrow, Self-Heal, Field Scabious, Hops Vetch flowers were seen. One Red Admiral emerged from the scrub edge. An ant hills presence was noted due to its Red Fescue, Wild Thyme and a little Lady’s Bedstraw cover. Holm Oak seedlings had penetrated the shallow soil and the red fruits of Cotoneaster offered an additional risk of invasion.
Calling a Raven glided east then a charm of Goldfinches sprung up. Unintentionally, I followed a Stonechat pair along glades and rides amongst Lighthouse Field scrub. Some yellow Jack Go Bed At Noon flowers were in part open. Even glimpse of a Yellowwort flower and remnant of Centaury were welcomed colour. A solitary Meadow Pipit briefly perched upon overhead wires.
“Elephant Ear” Burdock leaves were roadside. Ten white Viburnum flowers remained in a cluster. A simple treat was seeing a trio of Pied Wagtails upon the flower by the picnic benches. Well nonsense avoided!