This morning was dominated by the migration of Woodpigeon. Initially forty streamed over the car parking heading south out over the sea. Sun reflected off wet tarmac and droplets upon grass blades. Another two-score Woodpigeon passed over the Castle, here I switched off the second moth trap, ready for Duke & Ryan to inspect. Here both Mexican Daisy and Fuchsia displayed welcoming flowers. Another sixty Woodpigeon emerged as I passed the goat plot via the diagonal path. I noted tendrils of Gorse regrowth therein which would need cutting. Then sixty Woodpigeon passed over me when I reached the gully slopes only for another near hundred to emerge from near the Small Copse following a Magpie squawk. Whilst I was in Saxon, amongst contented Hereford Cattle, one hundred Woodpigeon appeared from near Townsend Reserve, shortly followed by another hundred from Sunnydale direction. Let us say I saw plenty head off on their migration!
Fist sized bunches of Ash mast clung to the parent plant. Meanwhile, I trampled over a carpet of soggy Field Maple masts. Similarly, there was a spongy saturated patch of woodchip in castle wood. Part eaten Holm Oak acorns were later found easily some ten-metre distant, into the grassland, from the Small Copse.
Potentially Common Gull, were the gulls seen upon the sea in Durlston Bay today, with activity off the ledges as well. Jackdaws, and the shadows thereof, were notice about the sea cliffs today. At the gully mouth there was the remains of a trickling winterbourne stream. More impressive were the blasts from the two Blow Holes.
I had heard much Goldfinch chattering, but not seen any until checking the rain gauge. Seven perched nearby in the garden. It was a pleasant surprise the find a Red Admiral upon the wing beside the Centre’s patio doors. Two Bees also basked in the sun upon the life-sized model Dolphin stored outdoors. Note we have a new thermometer now providing believable readings!