Between 7:30 and 8:00 this morning Warren Clayden observed a pod of at least twelve Common Dolphins ultimately heading west. This was a leaping, fast swimming pod with a tight association!
In terms of butterflies this morning was good for Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Small Skippers and Large Skippers. Only one Marbled White was noted likewise one Wall Brown although not beside a wall! Three Adonis Blues put in appearance in one location all of the above being within the Common Ware. I nearly forgot the Speckled Wood which I passed beside the Small Copse!
To me both the Chaffinches and Goldfinches are becoming more obvious of late. From within the Ware I heard two Blackcaps calling and likewise I heard a Green Woodpecker and Carrion Crow. Reliably Robins, Magpies and Blackbirds were noted although the picnic benches were their focus unlike the one Great Tit. There was more than one group of Jackdaws; however, ten were the most I observed together, this being on Lighthouse Green. Towards patrol’s end I noted a solo Kestrel had become one of a pair which hovered together near the mile markers.
In terms of fruits specimens of Elder, Privet and Bryony were bearing berries in locations with the best sunlight. The lone Pyramidal Orchid I passed had only one third of its flower head yet to turn to seed. Fleabane, Corky Fruited Water Dropwort, Rest Harrow, Eyebright, Red Clover and Oxeye Daisy are amongst the many flowers still to be seen. None of the Yellow Rattle I saw was in flower so indeed it seed heads were ready to rattle! Within an Agrimony stem an insect had stitched together with web some six leaves. Still attached to the stems, the leave tips had been drawn together to create a sanctuary for whatever laid within. Perhaps I should have collected it and placed it in an aerated jar to see what emerged.
In places I felt dew on the vegetation dampen my legs. None of my attempts to catch Grasshoppers or Bush Crickets were successful this morning; nevertheless there were plenty of the former to be heard. However, I recalled the distinctive weevil shape of one beetle such that I was able to identify it as Pea Weevil which eats our abundant legume leaves of course!