Whistles of just one tiny little Wren leads the dawn chorus, with the bird’s tuneful song booming out from the Small Copse and across South Field. Listen more closely to hear the Robin sing and Blackbird warble.
Gentle pipes from the passing Goldfinch, and both Blackcap and Greater Whitethroat are heard from the scrub smothered in Honeysuckle.
Ox-eye Daisies have flourished across the meadows, the large cheery flower heads of white petals with central yellow disc florets, all bobbing in the wind. Patches of Dyers Greenweed are building year on year. Johnston Meadow now displaying many dense swathes of these pretty yellow blooms.
Sainfoin also blossoming, the upright racemes of pea-like pink flowers a real treat for the eyes. Bubbles of ‘spit’ amass around the stems, where little Froghopper bugs hide inside.
The Sun is high in the sky at 8 o’clock this morning and a good number of butterflies flutter about, despite the wind. Small Heath frequent the footpaths, Common Blue along the downs, and Speckled Wood fringing the scrub, where Dogrose and Elder display their flowers. Skylarks also seize the earlier mornings, with plenty of birds heard in song.
The bulbous Greater Knapweed flower heads swell in size, with the first few now budding into their elongated purple petals. It seems like a Seven-spot Ladybird clings to every other stem, with good numbers to be seen.
You have to look real close to find the tiny Early Gentian in flower amongst the short turf. Pyramidal Orchids begin to ‘pop’ nearby, and plenty of Common Spotted Orchids on display.