Today my walk began early from Victoria Road. Streetlights wore hallows in the mist. There was much bird song about the large gardens with big trees near the hospital. Yesterday, I had already “clocked” the flowers of White Dead Nettle in the verge by the Aviaries entrance. Blossom was upon a planted Cherry Tree in the pleasure grounds whilst Hydrangeas held onto petals of their large compound flowers. There was the “pitter pattering” of raindrops as the fell from leaf to leaf. Herring Gulls were heard calling from the bay. From the “Greenwood” bench location I could only see the Gorse and Pine upon the undercliff. Amongst the carpet of Winter Heliotrope leaves, near Solent Road, there were only two flower stems.
Arriving at Long Meadow some of the grassland was seen whilst the treeline was just a silhouette. Beside the road a Song Thrush broadcasted, whilst it was a mouselike Wren that searched the tarmac path in front of me. Initially it was a solo Carrion Crow upon the sward but after a call another one appeared beside it. A duo of Robins appeared like guards near the pedestrian crossing. Fresh Valerian leaves grew out of a castle wall. At caravan terrace I was delighted to see a pair of Primrose flowers, albeit both were nibbled. The rock face “weeped” and water droplets splashed in shallow puddles upon its ledges. A Blackbird explored the verge where the Noon seat (being repaired) normally sits. Over the wall a St. John’s Wort stem held dark fruits.
I heard Guillemots as I approached the observation point, but I sent up two Woodpigeon and observed chattering Jackdaws in the Tamarisk.
Passing close to the cliff face, below the Dolphin Hut, were at least two Fulmar in flight. Amongst the score of Guillemot sat upon the sea were a group of eight Razorbill that included juveniles. Many of the birds were diving from the surface. A trio of Greater Black Back Gulls flew west together. Today, through the mist, I could only just make out Guillemots in their cave.
My highlight was rediscovering the tiny Yellow – Orange Coral Fungi. Unlike, a similar Stagshorn this one grew fungi amongst the short turf below the mile markers, not woodland. My ascent welcomed pauses to count only seven Hereford Cattle as the grazed the vast Lighthouse Field in the mist.