Long Meadow's Hedgerows were laden with Haws, Rosehips, Sloes, Blackberries and Dogwood berries. A Horse Chestnut held several small apples sized conkers with spineless cases. Two Willow Warblers made the briefest appearance.
In Smithfield upon in our neighbour's Monterey Cyprus trees were perched Magpies and a pair of Carrion Crow. There was much cackling and swaying. I was surprised when nine Magpies appear from the trees then another four materialised! A Jay flew and perched upon an Ash tree in the Large Copse.
Entering Saxon field the bleating of two “arguing” Robins was heard. Several Whitethroats were heard and less often seen. Amongst low lying Bracken and Bramble, with eyelash like petals, were the flowers of Old Man’s Beard. It was a delight to have also found more Bastard Toadflax with it flowers with their conical / trumpet design. Plenty of Fleabane flowers were evident with occasional Horseshoe Vetch, Knapweed, Scabious, Red Clover, Crosswort and Agrimony adding to the mix. On leaving Saxon a Speckled Wood butterfly clung to a gate with its wings being moved by a breeze.
The “mooing” called me to check on the Hereford Cattle of which I saw only twenty which were disappearing into the scrub where I assume the other half were. A good eight Dung Fly were making the most of a relatively fresh cow pat.
Walking across the wares I found three relocated Wasp Spider spiderling cells which had been moved by something. These paper cells the size of my thumb resembled flattened miniature hot air balloons with veins.
Whilst Swallows and House Martins were active numbers were low in comparison with recent days. Perhaps forty were seen in total.
This morning the Bird Ringers captured: Grasshopper Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Swallow and a Pipistrelle Bat which was released immediately!
From my patrol I notched up more gates needing attention and reminded myself to contact Swanage Duke of Edinburgh Awards Group to set up more work parties!