Sunshine upon Celandines sitting amongst dew covered grass. It’s got to be a sign of Spring, as much as the Swanage Sea Fishing boat San Gina trundling past with a deck full of punters.
This morning I awoke to clear blue skies, though cloud already moves in. I wander along the clifftop where a strong oniony-scent fills my nostrils. However, the usual culprits Crow Garlic, Ramsons, and Three-cornered Leek are no where in sight. All I can see is a patch of Wild Arum which seems to have appeared everywhere in the last couple weeks.
Fulmars fleetingly float on by, their wings outstretched steady, feet follow flailing behind. Closer to the water, a good number of Shags on the wing. Guillemot and Razorbill on the water, and huddled in on their ledge. From here, a fishy-guano scent rises and blows over the coastal path. Woodpigeons race overhead at incredible speed, and a deep cronk emits from a Raven as it passes by.
Cloud has filled the sky by the time I reach Tilly Whim, sure to send any sunbathing Adders to retreat. I wander up the Diagonal path where the smell of ash embers fills the air. Later up the hill this is replaced by the sweet-coconut scent that emanates from the golden Gorse blooms. Bird song also emanates from this scrubland; Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush and Robin.
One of the first trees to leaf, Elder, has now turned green. Spindle and Willow follow, sticky buds swell upon the Horse Chestnut, and white petals adorn the Damson. Great Tits churr in every direction as they form partnerships and scout of nesting sites.
On my return to the office, my eyes a drawn to some fantastic yellow blooms in the Reservoir Copse. Here, above the sound of a drilling Wren, I discover a Forsythia I’ve never seen before. It brings a welcome bit of sunshine amongst the otherwise drab and dormant Blackthorn, Sycamore, and Ash.