A bit of a change in the weather with grey skies and a cooler south-west breeze. From along the clifftops came the sound of ‘mewing’ (not a cat) but a quick scan with the binoculars potted a Kestrel perched on the rock, very camouflaged with the brownish background of brown Wild Carrot stems.
Turning to look towards the top of Round Down, I was able to admire the sight of a Peregrine Falcon as it powered across the sky, its wings beating stiffly as it moved at speed.
The spikes of Agrimony, either topped with yellow flowers or the flowers have turned to small almost round seeds with a ring of velcro hooks all ready to grab hold of you.
Growing from the limestone rocks, tall yellow flowered Golden Samphire, its succulent leaves dark green. Nearby the pale green flowers and leaves of Rock Samphire and a few purple heads of the Sea Aster.
Adding to the great variety of flower shapes is the Ploughman’s Spikenard, the flowers on stems, but they barely look open even when in full bloom!
Clambering all over the dry-stone walls are the long ropes of Wild Clematis, topped with delicate lemon-yellow flowers, while the cream and pink Honeysuckle flowers are more dramatic.
A single deep pink or pale red Hollyhock, the bright orange Montbretia and red Fushcia are escaped garden flowers now established.
Last night’s mothing saw a wonderful Swallow Prominent, a Pale Prominent, Ruby Tigers, Flame Shoulders, plus Small Waved Umber and of course Drinkers (well it was Friday night!).
As I return to write this blog diary, people are arriving to take part in the ‘Olympic’ themed parkrun, around the lovely clifftop and woodland route.