Near the car parks an unseen Song Thrush performed in remix of much varied sound samples. A Goldfinch quartet land amongst the thorny scrub beside the walling centre. Although there was a sweet scent upon the air, I could not attribute it to the white Viburnum flowers. My suspicions were confirmed its source being from a recent work party bonfire.
Descending the tarmac towards the Lighthouse I passed speeding Wood Pigeons and chattering Jackdaws. A second look confirmed that not on top but beside the top of a telegraph pole was indeed a Kestrel. As it clung, seaward facing, to a junction box it had a discrete vantage point. It was later to fly up the gully only to briefly be encountered again as it hovered over the coastal slopes.
Both Knapweed and Teasel still stood tall hold their dry heads of last season. Whilst fresh Honeysuckle leaves stood out amongst their skeletal scaffolding Bramble host, fresh growth was also at ground level. Stinging Nettle, Goosegrass and Arum leaves suggested spring ahead. The latter had some upright curled leaves seeming cigarlike unlike the arrowhead seniors.
The Winterbourne did flow at the Horseshoe bridge, but it was not seen in the upper gully. The Pear wore Branching Lichens, Ivy and a few drapes of Old Man’s Beard. Despite having to negotiate bare soils and clay punctuated with stone, roots and stumps of Blackthorn I reached the short turf on the coastal slopes. Here upon were a bounty of Worm Casts. The ascent to the ridge was welcomed exercise. Appearing upon updrafts were first a half, then a full dozen Jackdaw.
Hereford Cattle were seen in the distance grazing the reclaimed landfill site. In this second location a Song Thrush was heard as I meandered through the scrub into the upper gully ravine. Field three’s Dew Pond was full and Black Bog Rush pierced its surface. Despite the mirk, stones were seen underwater with a few Scentless Mayweed flowers at the water margin.
It was a delight to finally find scrub cleared and a fallen Hawthorn stem removed from the entrance into Hogget’s Meadow. Later I heard the cricket ball upon bat “thunk” as another shut a gate. Gulls “mewed”, dry, dark Bracken fronds line a wall. Fresh Tufted Vetch leaves were noted in Ox Eye Meadow. Yellow flowers were held upon a few Charlock stems and again a Welk Egg Case had been carried upon the wind.