Dawn break. Yet you wouldn’t know it, with the park shaded under thick grey cloud that filled the sky overnight. The cold northeasterly wind remains. Hands buried deep into pockets.
Entering through the gates at Durlston Road, I am greeted by the Stinking Hellebore, a clump of dark palmate leaves which billow with paler green flowers at the top. Harsh caws from the nearby Sunnydale Road Rooks.
Muddy trampled ground begins to green with scatterings of glossy heart-shaped Celandine leaves, the parsley-like Herb Robert, and spikes of Cuckoo-pint.
Bulbs follow, with fresh Daffodil shoots appearing throughout the area. Some lovely Snowdrops in flower, always surprising how small they are – just a two or three inches tall. Also the beautiful display of purple at the Crocus corner, but as always, a little trampled by dogs.
Blue Tit, Great Tit, and Dunnock all heard as I meander the various footpaths, though most audible is a Robin. The bird singing loudly from within the Cherry Laurel. Hidden somewhere amongst the thicket of red berries and large leaves – the outermost branches clipped by Roe Deer.
Many trees are also showing signs of life. Hazel catkins droop into the Glade, Cherry with pink blossom, and sticky buds swell upon the Horse Chestnut. Of course leaves already show on the Elder – as it is usually one of the first deciduous species awake.
Slimey bright yellow fungus Witches Butter can be found along logs lining the play trail, along with plenty of Turkey-tail brackets, King Alfred’s Cakes, and Jelly Ear. Soft fluffy Feather Moss too, and Jackdaw sailing through the cloud.