Cow pats in the car park evidenced the Herford Cattle having escaped yesterday from field 10a beside the lighthouse. Further sections of drystone wall had failed leading to Katie, Tallula and two passing volunteers having to herd the beast into a secure field! One nearly reached the castle through the clifftop woodland.
This morning a trio of Goldfinches and a Dunnock welcomed my arrival. Alongside the grassy path a ribbon of Red Bartsia followed the edge. Wet leave glistened when they caught the sunlight whilst the scent of Fox musk hung in the air. There were light Bee arrivals and departures from the “Bee Bollard”. Eyelash like stamen had be shed by Clematis and landed upon Bracken fronds below. Over a gateway into large copse one far reach branch of a Sycamore had dying and drying leaves whilst those about it were still fresh evening holding masts. It looked as if Squirrel bark stripping had finally cut off the circulation to this limb. One Hoverfly moved in the corridor of light beneath the tree canopy. Above a Squirrel caused leaf fall as it negotiated branches. Smooth shiny Black Bryony berries contrasted with dry unripe Blackberries. The first of several Meadow Browns were seen in Taskers Meadow where Fleabane was the most obvious flower. In the Paddock said flower was joined by good cover of Greater Knapweed. Self-Heal and Tufted Vetch flowers made path side appearances.
Perhaps it was my earlier trio of Goldfinches that passed over flying west. A neighbour’s Donkey brayed like a rusty pump and was soon joined by a Cockerel call. In Saxon Lady’s Bedstraw flowers sat like a wig upon an ant hill. Between ant hills were a collection of Kestrel feathers that could only have been plucked pout by another bird…One Bramble clump held a faded male Stonechat, a Whitethroat and Dunnock. Shortly a Whitethroat verbal ping pong began. The vibrant red breast of a Robin stood out from the crown of another scrub clump. Light brain fell whilst heavier rain appeared to be coming from the west. First the panting of a jogger then the clatter of Nordic walking sticks touching stone were heard upon the drove. Woolly Thistles bowed under the weight of the own flower heads. Burdock stood tall hoping to brush against passing mammals to transport its seeds. Whilst an unseen Peregrine Falcon called a silent Kestrel was seen perched on the overhead wires. A calm quiet start!