It’s another overcast and windy day with heavy showers. As I walk past the Learning Centre I spot 2x Magpies and a Wood Pigeon, whilst the sound of Robins singing and calling can be heard amongst the wind. Teasel in front of Brambles and Old-mans beard can be seen, as well as the yellow from Ragwort. In Field 34 a Blue Tit is spotted and heard and Ash sways strongly with the wind as I head towards South Field gate.
In South Field, it is instantly noticeable that much of the meadow has been cut – this is to allow the wildflowers to drop their seeds for regeneration and improve for the next year. What I did spot was small bits of Wild Carrot, Agrimony, Ragwort and Birds-foot Trefoil that escaped the cut.
Saxon has not been cut, in the Quarr I spotted Lady’s Bedstraw, Restharrow, and Yarrow – I head north to spot lots of Fleabane, and 3x Goldfinches. Into the next fields, also cut – on the path cracks are seen showing what a dry summer it has been (long ago it feels now!). A crow and Jackdaws could be seen, Great Tit heard, Hay bales are seen, whilst another 2x Magpies peck at the ground.
Crossing the road and towards the Pleasure Ground Woodlands, lots of Robins can be heard calling – like it’s a Robin war zone! Through this eventually a Wren can be heard singing away, whilst Sycamore and Holm Oaks become dominant. Winter Heliotrope is spotted re-growing where we tried to get rid of them for other plants to grow, red berries of many Lords and Ladies are seen, Raven and Herring Gull is heard over Durlston Bay, and a twig with Pedunculate Oak leaves and acorns is spotted – yet the only Oak that can be seen around is Holm – must be blown in from the wind.
Walking on, I spot a large white bird down on the bay – it isn’t a Gull species, and it isn’t a Fulmar, I thought, I took my binoculars, and it was Gannet flying beautiful above the water with it’s long wingspan, black wing tips and orange’y head. All of this was seen with music being played by a Great Tit.