It was a rather calm, cool and quiet start to the day. I found more of the fungal gall Doug discovered upon Blackthorn branches. Near the Large Copse the galls were larger and much more irregular in shape than the Sloes beside them. About the Large Copse it was easy to see the masts upon Field Maple and Sycamore, however binoculars we required to find those upon the higher branches of an Ash tree. All three trees species were primed to set seed into the wind. Meanwhile, fleshy Jelly Ear fungus was upon a dead Elder limb, whilst healthy Elder stems bloomed with sweet flowers nearby.
Entering Taskers Meadows there was the delight of flowering Common Spotted Orchids. However, a better clump of easily one hundred was next door in Saxon Field. Across the footpath and north of the clump it had become harder to find the Adders Tongue Ferns, but they were still there amongst the leaves of Fleabane.
A male Stonechat called from the scrub, I later saw a pair upon the Wares this time amongst the Gorse. The Herford Cattle sat and ruminated in their enclosure on the south side of the field.
It was not until I came alongside the Small Copse that the sound of Skylarks reached my ears. Holm Oak within the copse carried dangling flowers. Seaward of the demonstration quarr beside the road were several spikes of Agrimony so far only opening their yellow flowers at the bottom of their spikes. Below these a Green Woodpecker swept past in subtly undulating flight. Meanwhile, a Magpie investigated the grassy slope close to a patch of Oxeye Daisies. Bee Orchids were still enjoyed in flower in the meadows, upon the down land and near the coast path. Right below the mile markers beside the coast path I found my first Yellow Wort flower of the year albeit not fully open.
Some eighty Guillemots formed in a loose linear raft of their cave ledge. The later also had good occupancy, whilst on the lowest exposed ledge below it a Shag preened. Fishing Vessel PE1024 headed west presumably to raise pots as it had no flotilla Beside Tilly Whim steps the Tamarisk had flowering catkins.