Acorns have fruited across our woodland which is dominated by Holm Oaks. Cups sit empty upon the branches where they have been ravaged by our many Grey Squirrels and Jays.
The Squirrels can be seen hopping along the branches and scurrying up and down the tree trunks. Their claws are heard scratching against the cracked rough bark. Mouth open, clasped around an acorn, and fluffy tail following behind.
Usually seldom-seen Jays appear in abundance, I must have counted 12 or so along my walk. They move much more quietly through the trees, until startled, when they begin screeching loudly for all to hear! Now revealed through the bare branches, a quick flash of feathers: Mostly brown, with the beautiful blue on their wings, a white rump, and fan of black tail feathers.
Both species collect the acorns and bury them, retrieving them over Winter, when food resources decline. Of course many are forgotten and seed the next generation of Holm Oak saplings to sprout in the Spring.
Between the evergreen canopy, the sky is slowly revealed by the deciduous leaf fall. The leaves rustle underfoot; yellowed Sycamore and browned Horse Chestnut scattering the path. Against the grey sky above, flocks of fast paced Woodpigeons, clattering Jackdaw some 50+ in number, and smaller charms of tinkling Goldfinch.
Our local Swanage all-weather Lifeboat races across Durlston Bay on a shout. My partner Fergus is crew onboard and reports seeing a big Bluefin Tuna breaching on their way out.
It's now dark when the late-duty ranger leaves the office in the evening. The past couple nights this has meant spotting an unusually late sighting of a female Glow-worm. She has shining her light like a bright green LED amongst the long grass, in hopes to attract a mate, apparently missing the July/August memo!