For a change I walked in via the former land fill site. Passing along Steer Road a flock of Starlings flew above the roof tops before settling on overhead wires. From the highest pint on the park I benefited from seeing the full risen sun illuminating the landscape. Walking through the quarry fields I took care not to slip on the wet surface. I thought of Rosa (our cleaner) whom recently slipped and fell whilst walking home through the fields.
Part of the Hereford Cattle herd appeared content in Field 1. Johnston Meadow surprised me showing a good thirty Common Toadflax flowers in a slight depression amongst the sward. Off course Yarrow flowers were still out too. The pond contained more water than my last visit, Water Mint and Water Lilly leaves survived at the base of Reed stems.
On the seaward side of the Upper Gully I had been drawn to investigate a Bay tree I had not noticed before. Like a nearby Holly its dark green leaves provided welcome colour. The Bay itself had eight stems but growing up amongst them were three Hawthorn stems. Under the trees canopy Stinking Iris “cobs” held red / orange fruits. Despite being deciduous a Wayfaring Tree held plenty of leaves. A Robins Pin Cushion Gall was a hairy growth upon a Wild Rose. Later upon the gully slopes a short-stemmed Ox Eye Daisy flower provided some welcome colour.
Another splash of colour came in the form of four Goldfinches in the gully. They perch on top a Hawthorn, one descended, then two disappeared together leaving the last one to eventually following in its own time. Perhaps it was this independent bird that a saw flying solo back up the gully later? Magpies, Carrion Crows, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crow were also seen.
Around Lighthouse Bridge I scanned the woody cover seeking out the sound makers. It was a delight to see two colourful Bullfinches perched on a Sycamore’s crown. A Great Tit put in a fleeting appearance near the centre whilst a City of London bollard. Doug reported Conical Brittle Stems fungi on woodland path.