Tonight’s Stargazing Event has been cancelled by Wessex Astronomical Society due to the weather forecast.
This morning on the west verge of the entrance road there were signs of Badger root and grub excavations as well as the mammals’ latrines. About the centre a House Sparrow explored whilst a patch of Blackthorn blossom peered over the garden fence. Near the office there was Speedwell in flowers whilst yellow Lesser Celandine flowers poked above Nettle leaves.
Field Maple buds showed fleshy growth, whilst limited change was seen on the drawn-out development of Wayfaring Tree buds. The urban coastline was visible as a Chaffinch sang out. A Woodpigeon appear to either leave and return to / from the Large Copse or simply circuited it. Black Pine branches, needles & cones were moved by the wind. Another small patch south facing Blackthorn held blossom. Two Carrion Crows left Skipworth Meadow only to explore Taskers next door. Under the Copse’s canopy light reached the ground for the carpet of leaves represented by Cleavers, Ivy, Winter Heliotrope, Stinging Nettle, and Stinking Iris. Both a Magpie and a Pheasant, were heard. Today, at least three locals had Pheasant cockcrow broadcasts.
Whilst seeking signs of Adders Tongue Fern leaves in Saxon, instead the spotted basal rosette of Common Spotted Orchid was found. Both Early Spider Orchid leaves and Hairy Violet flowers were beside the Hay Rake Quarr. It was the robust beak of the silent, large, black bird overhead that indicated it was a Raven. Yellow Dandelion like flowers scattered about the park. It was too early for these to be Goat Beard or Rough Hawkbit.
A visit to the pond in Johnston Meadow revealed low water levels with two thirds of the liner exposed with a cloak of moss. I believed it was the yellow flowers of several Wild Radish stems near the Oxeye / upper Gully gate. In the past, flowers had persisted for long months in that spot.