Today's weather: Autumnally damp, light cool wind.
It was a delight to have new “Smarter Computers” upon which to write this morning’s diary. Back to nature: we still have flocks flying overhead eighty of which were Goldfinches. Grey Squirrels were at least more obvious to me today having been being overserved on the car park verges, the time line, caravan terrace and upon the coast path and under the Holm Oak. Our Rabbits had been excavating (seeking roots?) near the learning centre but chose to defecate upon the level ground beside.
Several unidentified Bumble Bees were in full flight searching for flowers to visit whilst a weak Wasp stumbled through the grass but escaped becoming prey to a Hunting Spider (Pisaura mirabilis). Some pollen, which they could have visited, was available from the occasional flower head of Buddleia, White Valerian, Ragwort, Toadflax, white Bramble flowers and Evergreen Ivy. Flowers were upon untrimmed Tamarisk whilst regrowth of up to eighteen inches began to peak into the seaward view. Both coastal Gorse and Holm Oak showed fresh pale yellow / green growth. Off course there were plenty of fruits upon the Stinking Iris and Madder but most impressive was the vine like string of fruits of Bryony.
Plentiful, if not common bird activity was observed about the “Noon” Bench with a pair of Blackbirds, three Robins, Great Tit and Blue Tit putting in an appearance. Dry Sycamore leaves pirouetted (leaf stem downwards) in the wind across the coast path occasionally joined by Hawthorn leaves. I must add the volunteers and apprentices have undertaken splendid clearance in this area such that I could smell the damp Moss. Initially Durlston Bay appeared empty other than the pot markers. However, after searching the rocky shoreline some sixty Black Headed Gulls were noted upon the water.
At the observation point I dropped a substantial yellow pencil over the edge!