A fresh cool easterly breeze cuts through the heat this morning as I head out through the meadows. Gate Keeper Butterflies are out in force this morning in the more sheltered areas. One landing on a pale pink cup like flower in Bind Weed.
Continuing through south field red / purple of Red Bartsia lines the paths standing out form the dried-out grass surrounding it. Wild Carrot towers over the surrounding plants while Rest Harrow hugs the ground in large clumps. More Gate Keepers move about the different flowers of the meadow keeping low to avoid the wind.
Kidney Vetch is going over in the dried out Hayrake Quar, where once was Chalk Milkwort Rest Harrow has now replaced it to carpet the ground. In the dip of the quar Oxeye Daises and Scabious can be seen in flower though only growing approximately 5cm tall, very short compared to how tall they usually grow. The churned-up clay from cows grazing the area earlier in the year now crunches underfoot as I pass through.
A smattering of Hawksbeard covers the path as I head through the south side of south field. Coming across a Scabious hosting three Six Spot Burnet Moths, a Lulworth Skipper and a Marbled White Butterfly. With all the choice for plants to feed on in the field, why they all feel the need to squeeze on to the two small flowers the plant has produced is confusing.
The twinkling sound of a passing Goldfinch flock fills the air, quickly replaced with a Skylark singing somewhere out of sight. Stonechats use the electric fences posts in field 10 keeping the cows on the downlands are perches. A quick trip up the ridge to find the Hereford Cattle grazing in their preferred bottom corner near the light house. A Meadow Pipit swoops past overhead before disappearing into some scrub, before heading back along the top of light house field.