A grey, cloud covered sky for my early morning start, this and the strong westerly breeze very different from late!
As I headed towards the downland a very strong whiff of the sweet- smelling Privet, the small cream flowers forming a short cylinder on the stem.
A Common Whitethroat was singing from its perch on the tallest stem of a Dog Rose, which was also sporting pale pinkish flowers.
A Song Thrush was providing accompaniment as was as Blackbird and a charm of Goldfinches as they passed overhead. A couple of Linnets landed on the Old Man’s Beard which seems to be rambling everywhere this year.
Dyer’s Greenweed abounds in a corner of Johnston meadow, this large patch of bright yellow vetch has increased in size over the last few years. While just nearby a quick look at a patch of meadow produced a great selection of plants including : Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Yellow Vetch, Hop Trefoil, Red Clover, Black Medic, Meadow Buttercup, Rough Hawkbit, Goatsbeard, Wild Carrot, Hay Rattle, Pale Flax, Agrimony and Corky-fruited Water Dropwort.
In addition a number of grasses such as Yorkshire Fog, Meadow Barley, Tall Fescue, Cocksfoot, Crested Dog’s Tail, Meadow Fescue, Sweet Vernal Grass and Downy Oat-grass. Just the names are magnificent!
A couple of tall Mullein plants, the almost grey furry stem, topped with yellow flowers, while the leaves have almost disappeared, a closer look discovered the culprit, numerous Mullein Moth caterpillars, a grey-silver with yellow and black dots – quite gorgeous.
Back to check on the Guillemots, the upper ledge has been badly affected by Ravens, who have been predating on the chicks. However there are still some chicks, (being sheltered and protected by the adults), who are now almost ready to fledge, while I watched a couple of chicks fledge successfully yesterday evening, as they jumped from the ledge into the water and then headed for the open sea with some adults.