The last day of September began with warm sunshine and a view of the wanning gibbous moon. However, the cloud began to thicken and bring in a chill. Upon entering Boys Brigade I comfortably noted the absence of any Bee activity about the bollard. I had chosen to investigate the mooing cattle and found thirty-two Herford cattle in the field. Several were amongst the hedgerows with one browse upon Ivy. Hopefully the unseen additional ten were in the deeper scrub. I discovered the drystone wall and fence (mostly obscured by Blackthorn and Hawthorn was not a continuous barrier between Boys Brigade and Smithfield.
In the latter field a septet of Magpies set up from the ground whilst a Green Woodpecker called unseen when I entered the open space. Fortunately, a Jay flew silently overhead. There was plenty of bird activity along the hedgerows. A steady flow of Warblers passed by not stopping amongst a Sycamore as I had hoped! I saw my first Blackcap of the day later seeing a trio upon the wares. A charm of a dozen Goldfinches passed overhead as entered Taskers where several yellow flowers of Rough Hawkbit were evident (as were seed head clocks). A Raven flew calling over the Large Copse towards Durlston bay. Several hundred metres beyond followed a second calling Raven which seem to rest at the copse.
I spent a little while at the Hay Rake Quarr. There were several Robins calling and singing as apparently territorial disputes occur between residents and winter visitors from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Some UK Robins are known to migrate to the Channel Islands for the winter! I spotted a good thirty Ox Eye Daisies still in flowers as well as the pink and yellow flowers of Honeysuckle amongst the Bramble. Also retaining flowers were Wild Thyme and Selfheal. Four Pied Wagtail passed overhead in undulating flight. Three female Stonechats perched in the hedgerow nearby, but it was upon the wares where a male appeared, calling to its partner. I sent up fifteen Meadow Pipit and I was sure that calls overhead indicated three Skylarks. Two hairy, red / brown, six-centimetre Fox Moth Caterpillars were seen.