The Sun emerges above the clouds on the horizon, alighting the park, the low clouds, and a waning gibbous moon. Blackberries and Sloes ripen along the hedgerows, whilst Hoverflies amass around the Ivy-clad walls. A Speckled Wood butterfly joins momentarily, brown wings flecked with white.
A few Great Tits chirp and churr to one another from between the Small Copse and a Hawthorn in the hedge. They’re hidden amongst the Honeysuckle which has tangled it’s way through the tree’s crown, and laden with bright red berries between the sweet-scented flowers.
They emerge. A flash of blue feathers as they swoop into the Holm Oaks. Then, another flash of blue as two Emperor Dragonflies zoom past. They stop to tussle with one another before continuing their determined flight.
I turn to head down the Lighthouse Road, this track winding down the slope and lined with flowers. Yellows: Fleabane, Ragwort, Agrimony, and Bird’s Foot Trefoil. Pinks: Common Restharrow, Greater Knapweed, and Red Bartsia.
At the Lighthouse I set about trying to find our final orchid of the season – Autumn Lady’s Tresses. It takes me a while to get my eye in; difficult to spot the 3” tall green spike not much thicker than a blade of grass. But sure enough as I spot my first, four appear all at once, and then disappear into the grasslands.
It's lively along the coast, with great walls of water rolling into the cliffs. They break into every cave and cavity along the cliffs, as they move East. The sound booms as water bursts into the air, and whitewater tumbles back down the ledges. Herring Gulls, Shags, and a Peregrine on the wing.
At Tilly Whim, blooms of a late season favourite of mine – the lilac petalled Sea Aster. The colourful blossom standing between the yellow Golden Samphire, and subtle green Rock Samphire. Each with thick succulent leaves to retain water and withstand the salty sea spray.