Well it was glorious in the sun but rather cold in a chill breeze.
For a change I ventured westward calling into Skipworth Meadow in the hope of finding a green First Aid box which I have not seen since my last Swanage Duke of Edinburgh Awards volunteer work party! This got me to thinking about getting the group to prepare nest box kits ready for a February build and installation.
With that in mind I decide to check the Large Copse Tawny Owl box. I was delighted when I saw movement, then even more so to see an eye peering back at me. However, this was short lived when I discovered it only to be a Grey Squirrel! More evidence of Squirrel was that of bark stripping on Sycamore which bark they strip in preference to that of other trees. I also checked the bare Elm stems and observed that indeed many displayed growth in two planes only.
The south western corner of Saxon field is a low point occupied by Sycamore, Elder, Stinking Iris as well as Blackthorn and Bramble scrub. This was a wet route through to the Wares with clay churned and puddled by cattle and people. I doubted that scrub clearance would greatly improve the situation. Throughout my walk I disturbed path side Blackbirds and Robins, saw the occasional Carrion Crow and Magpie on the wing and heard a Green Woodpecker. I crossed the bridge in the Upper Gully and reflected upon needing to keep cattle off this pinch point if possible.
Upon the Ridge I looked down into the Gully where a dozen Jackdaws perched within a bridge side Sycamore. Otherwise I saw a runner with dog then a photographer heading up hill so to photograph the sun rise over the Lighthouse. West of Anvil Point I thought of the fisherman whom might get wet and icy cold hands, then caught a glimpse of Gannet surprisingly close to shore.
On the quarr side of the bridge Blackbirds and Jackdaws were together on the short sward. A Great Tit called from a road side Apple Tree whilst a pair Goldfinches put in an appearance in a Hawthorn near the centre.