On my walk in I passed the undercliff that lies above Blacker’s Hole. It was here that I heard the piercing high pitch call of a Deer. Down slope I saw two Sika Deer does looking back it me from between the scrub. On the mature doe’s flanks there were feint spots whilst both their rumps had the white fluff with black stripe. It became apparent that the calls were a warning to another pair of deer out on more open ground. Later a charm of twenty Goldfinches flew by whilst I believe it was Moonfleet with its three sail-less masts off shore.
There was much bird activity on the western Durlston boundary, with birds heading inland along the hedgerow. Amongst those seen were Blackcap, Blue Tit, Chiff Chaff, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Robin and Whitethroat. However, all went still and silent after a Sparrow Hawk swept low overhead. The dew pond was dry, and the Flag Iris had been munched, however, the bared ground hosted the flowers of Pineapple Mayweed. The pond in Johnston Meadow existed as bog invaded by Common Reed. However, at the base of their stems were the flowers of Water Mint and the leaves of both Bog Bean and Water Lilly.
The grazed sward of field three contained a few Agrimony stems which clung onto the occasional yellow flower. A rather pale looking Whinchat rest upon a round bale in Hoggett Mead. In several meadows where cut there was evident fresh green regrowth of grasses. This aftermath would provide autumn grazing for the Hereford Cattle. Said meadow had Field Scabious and Yarrow flowers in its unharvested edge. Five Woodpigeons set up from having rested beside a water trough in the drystone wall. In Saxon the tendrils of a Rosehip had climbed through and protruded out of its Hawthorn host. The north facing Saxon have not been harvested or grazed contain Red Clover, Eyebright, Knapweed, Rough Hawk-bit and Self Heal in flower. Back at the Centre a pleasant natural mosaic of a wave was ready to accompany the mornings Yoga class!