A gorgeous sunny morning, the grass still wet from yesterdays rain, but an abundance of wildflowers to enjoy. The white umbel shape of the many flowers of the Corky-fruited Water-dropwort, distinctive across the meadows where it is joined by the delicate five-petalled Pale Flax, the yellow hoods of Hay Rattle and the beautiful pale pink flower spikes of Common Spotted Orchids.
To this mix add the soft grass heads of Yorkshire Fog and the one-sided Crested Dog’s-tail, plus Smooth Meadow Grass and three toes of Cocksfoot, and the meadows are looking great.
Fluttering up from the ground the tan and grey Small Heath butterfly, plus a few of the larger and two tone brown of the Meadow Brown butterfly. A different sort of flight pattern drew my attention to a Small Skipper, a much brighter, almost golden brown colouring across its four angled wings.
A Goldfinch sang from the top of a Hawthorn (upon which many berries are now forming), while a Skylark was singing loudly from high up above me.
Near a gateway a clump of purple rambling Tufted Vetch on one side and a tall stem of Hogweed on the other, the white flowerhead providing a stopping point for three 7-Spot Ladybirds.
The rattling scratchy call of a Common Whitethroat made me look at the patch of Blackthorn from where it was singing, this allowed me to also admire a smart male Stonechat, accompanied by a couple of recently fledged youngsters.
The short-turf of the downland providing perfect habitat for the tiny but delightful Early English Gentian, the star-like pinky-purple flower so easy to miss! It closes when not sunny and it is really small!! While searching I was able to enjoy the Wild Thyme, Common Rock Rose, Fairy Flax and Bird’s-foot Trefoil.
Last night two Tawny Owls were flying above the field and a Badger was spotted on its night-time travels.