Having climbed the hedgerow Wild Rose flowers peeped over the wildlife garden fence. The shelter provided by this a Bramble allowed a pair of Speckled Wood to perform their circle dance in the dappled shade.
Into the perch offer by a Field Maple flew a quartet of Goldfinch. Over Boys Brigade flew a Kestrel then a pair of Swallows passed over the Large Copse shortly followed by a chattering band of Jackdaw. Visibility to the east was great giving views to Key Haven and Hurst. Inside the copse I broke off a piece of crisp and dry Jelly Ear anchored to Elder. On the Tasker Meadow / Copse edge mostly Gatekeepers and a few Meadow Browns benefitted from the wind break. Tasker itself was dominated by Pale Flax and Hay Rattle flowers although Ox Eye Daisies and a few Common Spotted Orchids made an appearance. The latter had a better show in the Paddock as did some Quaking Grass.
In Saxon the Adder Tongue solid leaf like fronds were still present although faded and worn with their spot beginning to be colonised by Fleabane leaves. Saxon provided a superb contrast with it grazed and un-grazed areas. Ant hills stood out thanks to the cattle and one footstool sized one had Crosswort (Smooth Bedstraw) on its crown. In the distance a Roe Deer Doe was spotted in Jack Baiss Meadow. Nearby fields 42 and 43 appeared (through binoculars) to have had limited impact from a weekend of grazing.
In Saxon I watch a pair of Skylarks. I was absorbed observing one performing near vertical take-off, followed by rapid wing beats and a belter of a song. What energy! I overserved another nearby and saw its head “tuft” when it perched on an Anthill. In doing so I spotted a Fox slowly making its way through and area of Blackthorn regrowth nearby. I watch the mammal wondering if it might be seeking out a Skylark nest upon the ground. Eventually the Fox spotted me, froze and stared before bounding off. Eventually, it disappeared into a corner of scrub but not before I noted a greyish nape and faded coat. A few webs had been noted between the thorns. Upon inspection a small cluster did look like they could be Brown Tail Moth caterpillar webs, although either eggs or droppings were all that they contained. Close inspect reveal small peas sized Sloes having developed already. Latter beside Hay Rake quarr petit pois sized fruits had developed upon Cotoneaster. I disturbed a Wood Pigeon which appeared to have been drinking from a cattle trough. A pale green large juicy caterpillar was held in a Whitethroat’s beak as in perched in a small Sycamore.