On my walk in from Langton a Raven was heard near Spyway Farm which possibly disappeared into wooded copse know as Cuckoo Pound. Upon the coastal ridge I was accompanied by House Martins & Swallows. The birds twisted, turned and dived. They remained present throughout the morning also heading eastwards against the breeze. The sea was calm except for the white water of St. Alban’s Head race. There were still a few Viper’s Bugloss flowers upon the National Trust land.
Spoke-like sun beams pierced through the cloud and illuminated the sea upon the horizon. Hereford Cattle awaited be at the Durlston Boundary, one most content browsing upon scrub beside the kissing gate. What I thought were half a dozen Meadow Pipits occasional paused upon the grassy coastal slopes whilst heading east with the “kettle” of Swallows and “circlage” or “flight” of House Martins. It was one Shag that chose to fly in the opposite direction but of course that was low over the sea.
Large round bales illustrated this year’s harvest upon the meadows. Remaining flowers included the occasional Field Scabious, Greater Knapweed and above the quarr some Common Toadflax poked up and through Bramble. Beside Lighthouse Bridge there were many whiskers and few flowers upon Old Man’s Beard, however, Honeysuckle offered the odd flower too. Evergreen Ivy held many buds full of promise of the last wild flowers and fruits to come.
A Green Woodpecker and several Woodpigeons scattered into the Goat Plot Holm Oak at the margins as I approached above the Mile Markers. A pair a Carrion Crow exchanged vocals whilst perched on the overhead lines crossing the gull. One wiped its beak upon the cable itself. Below them the brief cackles of regroup Jackdaws reverberated.
Upon opening the Fine Foundation Gallery a female Bushcricket, possibly D.albifrons, clung to a door. Its long wings extended beyond the tip of its dark body and an egg-laying spike protruded from its abdomen. Outside the castle Valerian still held pink and white flowers whilst Buddleia showed white and purple both offer something for any insects. Whilst the Lavender flowers were visited by a Bee, Mint had fine delicate flowers, but Bladder Campion held only petal-less bladders!