In places the dew was evident upon the vegetation. It showed up the sheet webs of Spiders between the sward. A Goldfinch trio flew over the yet to be raked and baled hay cut upon Long Meadow. In South Field a Blue Tit flew from scrub island to hedgerow. Ahead of me was grey cloud hiding patches of blue sky. Near Saxon dog bin the Badger latrine showed fresh activity. Another two latrines, only one active, were in the south east corner of Hogget Meadow.
As I approached Hay Rake Quarr a trio of Wood Pigeon flew inland. An Anthill showed Wild Thyme flowers, three flowers were upon one Birds foot Trefoil stem. There were also short stemmed Knapweed and Ox Eye Daisy flowers upon the thin soils. An unseen Magpie cackled as two Jackdaws flew by. Many different sized Banded Snails were around the edge of the quarry scrape. Ragwort stems held flowers beside Cotoneaster. Adjacent Elder Branches only wore the leaves of Ivy and Bramble which had climbed into them. Stinking Iris pods had opened with each of three “blades” displaying orange berries. Honeysuckle flowers perched upon a bramble bush crown. Looking towards the sound of a distant Cockerel I saw the gentle movements of the yellow arm of an excavator. Later the melodic “clack, clack” of caterpillar tracks, as well as the sound of hand tools working up stone, rang out from Haysom’s Quarry.
In Eight Acres in noticed several Red Clover flowers before reaching the deep scrub covered quarry pit. I climbed the reclaimed spoil mounds to count 21 Herford Cattle (part of the Herd!) fortunately in field 3 still. A quartet of Swallows passed over the drove. From Holcombe Meadow I watched more such birds joined by House Martins in flight over Saxon. Later there was much such bird activity about the Centre, where some birds briefly paused of the roof ridge. Near Eight Acres on male Stonechat was seen upon Blackthorn. In an Elder it was joined by two females. Amongst some of the unharvested hay cut I noticed empty Cinnabar Moth cocoons. After the Small Copse a Fox Moth caterpillar crossed the path near an area dominated by “sunny” Fleabane flowers