A Roe Deer emerged from Solent Road, calmly crossed Lighthouse Road, and disappeared into Smithfield. Having come out of isolation I was joined by fresh apprentice Tom Fry. Bird Ringers were active, but a Chaffinch, Swallow, Goldfinch and Great Tit evaded their mist nests. Amongst the ant hilled grassland striations rang out of Grasshoppers and Bush-crickets. Over Lighthouse Field the flight of four House Martins greeted us. Again, it was another day with Meadow Browns being the prevalent butterfly specie seen.
Hamish reported having seen a Jersey Tiger moth, Sand Martins, and a Whimbrel (Curlew like wader with an upturned beak instead).
Upon Tilly Whim wave cut platform Golden Samphire still bloomed. Fox droppings scent marked the edge of the coast path whilst below, close to the sea, perched a pair of Shags beside a Herring Gull. Tom spotted a Peregrine Falcon as it passed the sea cliffs. A second bird was confirmed also as a Peregrine after both were heard calling.
Kidney Vetch seed pods carpeted the ground below the mile marker. Below, at the gully mouth, a low tide was indicated by see weed being revealed. Upon a strong breeze two Jackdaws “chuffed” and a Magpie crossed the gully. Privet berries were upon the plant where in managed to grow in the gully rock face’s crevices. Tom spotted the red markings upon the breast of two birds above us which he identified as a pair of Linnets. Both Crab Apple and Apple fruits hung from small trees. Tom managed to find an old Cherry Gall, with wasp exit hole, upon a solitary English Oak. Several blue butterflies flitted by one looking like a Small Blue. Over a drystone wall a noisy male Pheasant called, and wing flapped. A Chiff Chaff and Green Finch trio were passed on our way to the Small Copse. I was delighted to see a yellow butterfly on the wing, mostly likely been a Clouded Yellow. Then, as often, Speckled Wood appeared at the woodland edge.