Welcome to Autumn! A few flowers were still be found hear and there and included both Ox Eye Daisy, Ragwort and Yarrow near the Centre. Upon the wares Red Clover and Field Scabious gave a little colour amongst the sward. A bounty of smaller than half penny Striped Snail shells littered the short turf of the down-land slopes. The sticky clay on the soles of by boots enables leaves to travel with me!
Having ascended from the gully a Kestrel briefly hovered above the goat plot before heading east. Below a dozen Jackdaws were seen around Lighthouse Green. Later they too ascended and became a clattering of a score. From the cliff to coast path at least three pairs of Great Black Back Gull travelled westward. One inquisitive Great Black Back Gull appeared to have been the trigger for the rapid and near vertical appearance of a dozen Rock Doves from the cliff face.
The later pairs appeared rose after rounding Durlston Head. In the opposite direction a Cormorant flew high over the sea near to coast path height. Despite the wind and swell only one Gannet was observed off shore flying low over the sea. Growing at the foot of the coastal dry stone was a clump of Sea Beet / Wild Spinach held green tough leaves. Off the gully mouth there was plenty of white foam and occasional sea spray. Fortunately, the wind blew inshore holding me back from the cliff edge.
Between Tilly Whim steps and the Observation point a few “tumble weeds” were in the path. We have cut coast path verge scrub prior to the contractors resurfacing work. It will be gathered by a work party soon. The work will help retain open grassy, south facing slopes good for wildflowers, insects and reptile.
At the castle beside the sun dial there was a “good” colony of climbing vegetation on the wall. Mexican Daisy and Valerian held flowers whilst the Old Man’s Beard did not. Yesterday a Hummingbird Hawk moth visited the Sea Lavender outside the castle. A female Dark Bush Cricket had also visited. Under the timeline tree canopy where light reached the ground Ash, Elm, Hawthorn, Sycamore and to a lesser degree Holm Oak sapling reached towards the light. Fleabane flowers were beside the wooded coast path whilst a Jay squawked beside “Rest & Admire”. Holm Oak a white bracket fungus on a dead limb was and the “mouldy corn-flakes” on a stump I believe were Hairy Stereum fungi.