Amongst the half dozen Goldfinches was a single Greenfinch also rest in the Sycamore. About the car park cow pats were evidence of yesterday cattle escape. At the end of new Long Meadow path, I was delighted by the new cliff top view that had been cleared. The sun shone through and I could see the Castle’s easternmost turret and viewpoint. One Blackbird was content silently perched upon the top of the scrub cover. From Rest & Admire there were clear across to the urban coast. Nearby, feather like Tamarisk wore dew upon its needles. Both Racing Pigeon and Herring Gulls passed the undercliff below.
Upon the timeline a Grey Squirrel scampered carrying an acorn in its mouth. Another two such mammals were searching the dell, perhaps for acorn stashes. More dew decorated the grassy verge before the Dell. Near the Noon Bench I studied the silhouette in a tree. Fortunately, its squawk revealed it as being a Jay. More Goldfinches were seen and heard chattering. Towards Durlston Head a Dunnock crossed my path before disappearing over the dry-stone wall. It became clear that the hedge trimming of the cliff top Tamarisk was due, the sea views being partly obscured.
On the sea cliffs the familiar sight of a Peregrine Falcon being perched above a Greater Black Backed Gull was revealed. Today there were also about seventy Guillemot in the sea cave, with three having been seen to fly in. A “clattering” of thirty Jackdaws were cliff side too. This time a Rock Pipit crossed my path and hopped about the dry-stone wall. As it flew west the Peregrine Falcon passed the gully mouth. I found feathers that suggested a bird upon bird attack near the gully mouth. The sun cast my stretched shadow on to inshore grassland.
Ascending the gully slope, I crunched Tor Grass, Madder, Privet and Gorse under foot. It was a pleasant surprise to find some Self Heal in flower. I went to check on the Herford Cattle currently installed in Saxon Field. Initially only three of the thirty-seven cattle were seen, they had a quartet of Magpies about their feet. A Jay flew into and disappeared amongst the evergreen leaves of the small copse.