My early visit to the “plant room” sent a good score of Woodpigeon to noisily depart from the Holm Oak cover overhead. They remain very much a presence throughout the patrol but not in large numbers.
Out to sea the Isle of Wight was hidden behind mist, although the Needles Lighthouse lamp briefly glistened through, nevertheless Ballard Down was still visible. The light waves produced a soothing sound enhance by the movement of pebbles and boulders on the rocky shore.
Pale pink flowers were still upon Rosemary beside the castle terrace. Between the Lavender and Laurel hedgerow I had the briefest glimpse of a departing Song Thrush. The familiar chatter of a Great Tit and spurts of Robin song came out of the scrub cover. One fresh green Mint leaf just had to be picked, crushed and its scent enjoyed! Of course the rapid gunfire calls of Wren came out from several locations.
Overhead it the sounds of passing Goldfinch charms came and went. From the size of the birds I suspected I had seen a good score of Redwing on several occasions. However, I failed to get close enough to these flighty birds to get a confirmation.
A rather of piste route saw me crawling through a large hogget hole give me access to Boys Brigade. Behind me Laurel, Rosehip and the exotic looking Spindle fruits lined the verge of Lighthouse Road. A bounty of Rough Hawks bit basal rosette leaves greated me in the Meadow. I was to see also the yellow flowers and seed clocks of these in Saxon. Indeed Saxon flowers displayed upon Yarrow, Field Scabious and Wild Carrot.
Only forty percent of the small copse canopy was close due to Black Pine needles and Holm Oak leaves. Bellow the understory of Box retained its leaves. At the interface with the paddock whilst the Winter Heliotrope leaves were seen under Blackthorn, it was clear that its extent had been reduced. Following a mammal track out into the paddock I passed what I took to be a spent Broomrape flower stem, standing proud holding seed pods. Despite the mist there was clear views over to the former Landfill site. I took the gap through the predominantly Privet hedgerow to reach Saxon. Said privet had green leaves turn to a plum shade and deep dark black fruits.
A short but not dwarf Thistle was in flower close to the Saxon badger latrine, which appears to be slowly relocating!