As there was plenty of bird activity today, I took time trying to determine what was flitting between the trees and scrub.
Inadvertently I caught sight of a Roe Deer grazing below the gully rock outcrop. It looked over it’s should then licked its back. It continued looking over its shoulder for a while bit not at me. A second larger Roe Deer appeared which being larger must have been the mother. She sniffed and licked her grey brown youngster about the ear. It was the juvenile whom was leading the pair being the first to disappear into the cover. I gradually progressed in their direction and was surprised to see the mother in the shade of the scrub still. However, both had disappeared by the time I got need a Sycamore tree I could see the less prickly route the deer had taken. I pondered upon the fact that I have not seen any deer leavings for some time, whilst it is most evident on the verge beside Bradfords in Wareham!
Rabbits were seen as they raced about the car park margins and later amongst the thicker sward above the quarr.
Beside the small copse Red Admiral and Speckled Wood danced in the sun, whilst a Ringlet flew over the down land of the gully.
On the wing I caught site of more House Martins than Swallows perhaps a score in all. After seeing a trio of Goldfinches briefly perch in Elder I was treated the sight of one pick seeds out of a Teasel head.
Back to those flitting birds! At the Small Copse I believe it was Wood Warblers which danced about the Ash leaves. Blackbirds, Great Tits and Blue Tits travelled between trees and scrub. Near Lighthouse Bridge I observed two Whitethroats in a Pear tree. Only the second bird took any interest in perhaps that which was upon a Pear. At least three Robins were heard singing in the gully whilst both Blackcap and Stonechats were heard and the later seen. Two as yet unidentified LBJs were seen exploring the crevices of the Rock outcrop but they were not Rock Pipits. Eventually I saw a Green Woodpecker land amongst ant hill above the gully, however, I was certain another one had also been calling. One Raven had been heard near the Large Copse and three Magpie and a trio of Carrion Crows put in an appearance. Katy was treated to seeing a Ring Ouzel in her garden whilst eat breakfast!