Despite being cool and misty with dew on the ground, the air was filled with the song of Skylarks. In a Sycamore perched a Goldfinch whilst a Chaffinch was heard in the background. Bird Ringer Mick was excited to share the fact he had heard his first Cuckoo of 2023, here this morning. In addition, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff had all been rung this morning.
Briefly the sun peered through cloud as I admire the mix of blossom out and buds yet to open upon Blackthorn. Yellow Vetchling’s distinctive triangular leaves caught my eye. A few Bulbous Buttercups flowered in South Field. In Saxon Early Purple Orchid flowers spike stood taller than the Early Spider Orchids nearby the hay rake. Near chest height, thanks to a sunken path, I had a very of a cluster of Early Spider Orchids with eighteen in flower and twelve to open. All this within a thirty-centimetre square. Hairy Bittercress showed elongated seed pods, that would eventually burst to disperse seed.
Not living up to to its name, a leathery Jelly Ear was up a dead part of its Elder Host. Nevertheless, another part of the Elder had pushed out flower bud clusters. Excavations into the base of and Ant Hill might have been a Badger’s work. A few Blue Bells were beside the drove as were Great and Blue Tits.
More fresh leaves, these my rough “Elephant Ear” leaves of Burdock. Eight Herring Gulls appropriately departed from Eight Acres, mewing as they flew leaving three Skylarks to the Meadow. Amongst Johnston Meadow’s bounty of Cowslips, I believed it was the fresh stems of Dyers Green Weed. I enjoyed hearing and seeing my first Durlston Whitethroat of the year. Umbel compound flowers were out upon Wayfaring Tree amongst the Upper Gully. An Apple Tree in the Downland had small leaves and blossom buds that would soon open. Before going indoors I passed a pair of Greenfinch to add to the tally of bird pairings.