Looking out of the bird hide three Hen Pheasants were foraging amounts the shorter grass. With them were a pair of Dunnock and a Chaffinch upon the ground. It was Blue Tits and Great Tits that visited the bird feeders. Amongst the tall growth from the laid boundary hedgerow, Hazel branches dangled catkins. Elder branches had leaf buds opening. A Sycamore crown was shared by a Jackdaw and Woodpigeon. Ballard down was visible despite low cloud and valley mist. A pair of Magpies scoured south field for food. A Song Thrush broadcast from near the large copse.
I squelched on the saturated clay soils towards Hay Rake Quarr. I found no orchid rosettes and only a few of the Cotoneaster berries remained red as the others had darkened. It was a Raven couple that flew over Saxon as I tried to count the Herford Cattle seen in the distance. From various locations I only had 11 of the 14, however, no cow pats on the quarry road was a good sign. Near a mound beside the east to west drove three Robins were close and seemingly tolerating each other! Another Song Thrush was singing from the scrub covered quarry of Holcombe Meadow. Here beneath the Blackthorn a few Primrose flowers were at the edge of a carpet of Stinking Iris leaves. Nearby Skylarks flew and sang over Ox Eye Meadow. At one pint three Skylarks were in the air together. The braying of a Donkey added to the soundscape. In Eight Acres I disturbed half a dozen Linnets that had been on the ground.
As I headed back a score of Jackdaws flew west along the coastal ridge. Later a pair of Greater Black Back Gulls followed them but along the cliff tops, The call of an unidentified Goose flying over head took be by surprise and all I could do was watch it fly out to sea. Over the gully a solo Raven appeared only to per on the lower mile marker where it sat call for it mate. On the way Burdock still held burrs meant to disperse its seeds. The chive like leaves of Chervil stood like up spikes from a grassy downland quarry mound.
As I took the weather readings, I heard pebbles and boulders being rolled by waves in Durlston Bay. This was accompanied by the calls of Herring Gulls.