Yesterday morning, with help from visitors, I first rounded up three, then another plus one more Hereford Cattle. Thanks to Jill, armed with her Nordic walking sticks, we managed to reunite the herd. In the afternoon at the Castle I was called to relocate an Adder which was heading in the direction of Emily’s Office! A little picker enabled the safe handling of hissing reptile at a safe distance.
Today upon the crown of the Small Copse canopy perched one Carrion Crow and a pair of Magpie, although more of the later were nearby. A quartet of angling boats were offshore. The red sailed “Seabird” rocked upon the sea heading west into the wind. I enjoyed Ox Eye Daisies and Common Toadflax flowers upon the gully slopes. Under the wires there was activity about the rock exposure. A Great Tit, Dunnock and Magpie were in bushes beside the rock. A pale male Stonechat perched amongst Privet. It was a treat to have a Wall Brown land and bask although it had flown awkwardly in the breeze. On the downland grass I had fleeting glimpsed of two possible Adonis Blue Butterflies. A Speckled Wood was to be seen at Saxon’s Soggy Sycamore Corner. Of course, a few Large Whites were also on the wing.
In the gully Blackcaps were amongst the birds flitting between trees. They were accompanied by Blackbirds and a trio of Goldfinches. A cackling Jackdaw was soon followed by a duo of Swallows flying over the gully. No small fruits remained on the roadside Pear tree. Before entering the downland of the coastal ridge I passed through scrub laden with Bryony, Sloe and Rosehip fruits. Upon the downland sward I spotted a Banded Snail and was surprised to find fresh growth of Hemp Agrimony and Ground Ivy flowering as well as three Kidney Vetch flowers! I studied the rabbit’s ear like bracts of Wayfaring tree buds.
In field 6 the tight grazed sward suggested the Hereford cattle required fresh pastures. Fortunately, cattle had already given them access to Field 3 as well. A Kestrel flew over the short sward, not good for Small Mammal cover, and perched upon a dead branch protruding through a cloak of Old Man’s Beard.
To the west I had clear views of the buildings at St. Alban’s Head. Flying in the opposite direction a trio of Great Black Backed Gulls exchanged calls.