This morning had a more autumnal feel with grey clouds creeping in from the west and a steady breeze tickling the sward and tree tops. Perhaps this brought a rather subdued mood as may have been felt by some of those returning to school today.
The absence of bright sunlight and still winds did not deter a couple of Gatekeepers and a few Bumblebees making an appearance. Unfortunately, the only Lesser Bloody Nosed Beetle I found today was deceased, scuttled on its back.
As I noted a Dwarf Mallow leaning over the lower mile marker base a Green Woodpecker waffled unseen in flight nearby. Close by at the fringe of an inspection cover the yellow flowers of Lady’s Bedstraw provided some contrast. Looking up a bird of prey came into view over the rock outcrop appearing from the gully. However, it travelled with the wind to below the cliff tops towards Durlston Head. It’s dark and pointed wing tips confirmed its being a Kestrel although no hovering observed today!
Whilst I was beneath the overhead wires in the gully the Raven duo flew inland. A lot of chatting was heard from both Blackcaps and Stonechats. In the gully three male Stonechats were seen and heard flitting and conversing alongside Robins. The greatest gathering of Jackdaws I witnessed today would have been a score when the majority appeared to head for Lighthouse Green.
Upon the branch of a Pear tree a branching lichen had miniature saucer like spore heads. Elsewhere I found “spent” Stomach fungi / Puffballs that had already set their spores to the wind. In the gully Sycamore leaves had begun to dry a curl upwards at the tips
I realised how the berries of Madder could easily be confused with that of Privet especially as both have pale a dark specimens in different stages of ripening. Bryony berries clung to vines with shrivelled leaves. Both Foxes and Song Thrush had left signs of their activities.