Mick reported that amongst the usual Warblers they had rung a pair of Pied Flycatchers. These woodland birds nest in tree holes and thus were passing through. I went to check on the Herford Cattle as yesterday I arrived to deal with their escape. Armed with wire and post I caught two of our volunteers (Gerhert & Rosemary surveying access structures) to help. I found David preventing one cow from passing the lighthouse! Eventually the three of us had the three escaped cows back in with the others. Whilst I installed fencing, where two dry stone wall collapses were (not far from recent rebuilds), the cattle chewed the Kawasaki Mule’s fuel filler cap off, its seat belts, rope, a pair of ear defenders, gloves and attempted to chew my shorts! It was a delight to be doing some proper Ranger work despite the damp mist. Today the cattle were secure and content, but I believe they need a salt / mineral lick block! Small leaves protruded out of a dry cow pat.
Of Anvil Point angling boasts gathered as a FY851 headed west in search of crustaceans. Seven Gannets flew east amongst them two darker immature birds. Great Black-backed Gull also head west, clearly something of interest there! Whilst checking the electric fence line downslope from me was a Kestrel perched on a slab of rock protruding from the face of a vegetated quarr. It was not long before it was off hovering in search of Small Mammals. Tendrils of Elder, protruding from scrub cover obscuring much of a drystone wall, acted as perches for a pair of Stonechats. Small Pears and Apples hung from roadside on the way up from the horseshoe bridge. Common Toadflax still flowered near the quarr.
Passing the Small Copse, I saw a Green Woodpecker depart to head northwards across South Field. At Hay Rake quarr a Robin and female Blackbird explored the branches at the margin with open ground. At the old shallow quarr, the small flowers of Eyebright and Wild Thyme were evident along with short stemmed Ox Eye Daisies. Whilst I could see Cotoneaster fruit, to my eyes they were not much difference in colour to the plant’s leaves…Three Meadow Browns were seen on short flights despite the lack of sun. I was happy hearing the light pitter patter of rain upon leaves.