A Red Admiral settled to bask upon the south facing office wall. Hop, hop, hop then flight was the action of a Magpie, followed by a trio of Goldfinch then three Swallows passing overhead. Grass seed heads swayed in the breeze whilst seed pods were held by Meadow Vetchling. Today it was a delight to see at least ten Marbled Whites upon the wing. A few Meadow Browns and “awkward” Skippers were also active. Upon a patch of Wild Thyme flowers, a Buff Tailed Bumblebee went from flower to flower. Short “rubbing wing” stations were those of Grasshoppers whilst Bushcrickets played a longer more consistent “tune”.
At the tip of a long, otherwise bare tendril of Wild Rose was a Pin Cushion Gall. Both Goldfinch and Greenfinch were observed pecking at Gorse seed pods. Common Toadflax leaf whorls were spotted beside the road edge, whilst further along a Yellowhammer was exploring the edge from the tarmac.
Upon the ladder ring of a Mile Marker perched a Kestrel, later a Carrion Crow occupied the spot. From the gully Sycamore cover came cackles from Jackdaws. Woodsage showed pale flowers, a light dew showed up the down of a Spear Thistle leaves. Privet and Black Bryony climbed over Gorse. Nursery tents of Hunting Spiders were amongst vegetation to protect spiderlings.
One Grey Squirrel was spotted at the edge of the downland, admitted beside Holm Oak at the Goat Plot. A Crane Fly emerged from the grass.
Offshore Guillemots drifted eastward upon the sea. Offshore mist was most noticeable around the shoreline of the Isle of Wight. Occasional muffled ship horns blasted. Red Bartsia was found in short turf above the mile markers.
Back at the Centre a Tansy leaf had to be crushed and sniffed, whilst Hemp Agrimony was shoeing the beginnings of a flower bounty.