A lovely morning for a stroll and a real treat to show our new Ranger Hannah around the Park, at one of the loveliest times of year.
As soon as we stepped into the meadows, the sound of Skylarks filled the air with their fluid, breathless song, as they establish their territories. Skylarks nest on the ground, so it’s especially important at this time of year to keep dogs on a lead or under very close control while out in the meadows.
In South Field, among swathes of bobbing Cowslips, tall Early Purple Orchids are in full bloom – their leaves spotted with black. Nearby, a few of the smaller, darker purple Green-winged Orchids are also in flower, easily distinguished by the green-veined side petals which give them their name.
In the Saxon Field, dozens of Early Spider Orchids form a dense carpet around the old quarry, with the wonderful, geometric reddish flowers of Salad Burnet also in bloom, amidst a mat of Wild Thyme leaves.
Blackthorn scrub is covered with sweet-scented white flowers, while Hawthorn leaves are an almost dazzling shade of green, with the white umbel flowers of Wayfaring Tree in bloom.
From among the scrub, the scratchy song of Whitethroats, repetitive notes of Chiffchaffs and Great Tits and sweet song of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes can be heard, as Swallows swoop in off the sea, heading north.
A quick stroll along the cliffs to finish off, where pink Thrift and white Sea Campion are in flower along the clifftop. In the Gully, a small flock of twittering Linnets hop among the leaves of Rock Samphire.
Further along, a growling ‘bazaar’ of Guillemots bob on the water, along with a few blacker Razorbills.
Fulmars sweep smoothly above them, with Great Black-backed Gull, Shag and Herring Gull also on the wing.