Yesterday afternoon I found myself extracting a male Adder from an “undisclosed” location within the Castle. Such behaviour I had experienced in the autumn, but coming inside this time off year was unusual! Recent walking commutes brought my first Swallow sightings of the year, albeit just over the western boundary. Today only one flew in land as I walked through Ox Eye Meadow (today it could be renamed to Cowslip). At foot level, a fresh stem of Yellow Rattle was spotted.
Today it was rather cool. In most places former soggy, muddy puddles had dried and even cracked. Some such spots had fresh insect burrow spoil piles, although a few were still damp enough to take fresh footprints. A Chaffinch sang of from a naked Sycamore in a Saxon corner. Wild Cabbage flowered above the upper gully, whilst below many flower heads were upon a Wayfaring Tree. Fresh Bracken fronds were emerging amongst the equally invasive Tor Grass. Walking up onto the coastal ridge I passed “pruned” Sloes and Rosehips. Goldfinches, a Blackcap and Blue Tit were active in the hedge / wall row beside me. Today’s highlight was seeing, without hearing it, a Yellow Hammer on top of scrub upon the coastal slope. I was surprised to see, in full palmate leaf, a Horse Chestnut on the inland side of the ridge. Scratchy calls indicated a Whitethroat, whilst in Hogget’s Meadow was a silent (thank fully) Jay. Meanwhile, a Dunnock sang from the bare, bleached stem of an Elder. I found fresh Milkwort flowers amongst the quarried mounds. Heading back Speedwell flowers were noted.
About the Lighthouse perimeter fresh yellow (with fluff) Kidney Vetch flowers were out. Along with this Bluebells and Early Purple Orchids at the southeast corner.