Whilst I failed to see the Herford Cattle which were meant to be in the south west corner that is Field 3, I was pleased not to see any in the Meadows. Yesterday the bales were collected to provide winter feed for the beasts.
Both Buddleia and Yarrow held flowers near the centre. Along the cliff top / coast path between Gully Mouth and Lighthouse I found flowers! A few Sea Aster stems, occasional Thrift and Golden Samphire flowers and a good show of Sea Campion too. Meanwhile, Rock Samphire flower heads had converted to seed pods. Common Toadflax flowered yellow amongst downland yet to be encroached upon between neighbouring clumps of scrub.
Whilst upon the gully slopes I heard a Buzzard call back in land, yet it was only a trio of Carrion Crows that I was to see in flight. A Magpie stood out perch amongst downland scrub. Upon the slope the protection of Privet, Blackthorn and Gorse had enabled evergreen Holly and Holm Oak to sprout up. From such a clump I heard a Reed Warbler like call and the more familiar sound of a male Stonechat. Both Swallows and House Martins flew in a steady stream eastward along the coastline. Hamish had noted a Sand Martin amongst them. I was happy to see, on the short downland sward, a Wheatear with its eye band that resembled “wrap around shades”. Other short sward dwellers were Meadow Pipits of course.
Approaching from the west came a quartet of dark birds over the sea. As they approached it became clear these were relatively high flying, at cliff top height, Shag. The Tamarisk clump at Anvil Point shed more Jackdaws as I got closer to it! A group of Rock Doves had flown up before seeming to have been pursued by a pair of Jackdaws whom shortly turned tail after the other birds fled. Amongst Hamish’s sightings / hearings of note were: Hobby over the gully; Merlin over Durlston Bay; Grey, Pied, & Yellow Wagtails; Crossbill and 1,000 Siskin. I had seen sunshine through the cloud as I descended into the gully. Whilst I ascended the coastal ridge it had looked overcast, behind me, where the sun had shone before.