With drizzle in the air and mist rolling around, it felt like a morning to check the woodland!
In the air the sweet smell of Wild Privet, the large clumps of white flowers scattered along the hedgerows, along with a few bright pink Fuschia flowers.
The spindly stems of Enchanter’s Nightshade topped with their delicate white head of flowers while the lilac petals of the Stinking Iris flower show well, their tall flat leaves smelling – some say of Marmite, others roast beef – not sure it is either myself!
The trees providing a wonderful sheltering cover of leaves from the drizzling water, a good chance to admire them for once, with the almost heart-shaped Small-leaved Lime, 3-leaves of Horse Chestnut, serrated edges of Beech and Elm, and differently shaped lobes of the related Sycamore and London Plane.
As I wondered the sight of a pink flower caught my eye, a Hedgerow Cranesbill (almost definitely probably – but will have to go back and check with a book!). Nearby Herb Robert, our commonest geranium, while Cut-leaved Cranesbill spotted on the meadow edge.
On the cliffs the Guillemots are becoming fewer, as some of their chicks have either fledged or been eaten by the Ravens, meaning the parents are no longer confined to the ledge! Last night the high-pitched calling of chicks could be heard as dusk fell, an indication of them about to jump from the ledge before heading for the open sea.
In the gorgeous evening sunshine yesterday, I spotted a superb Bee Orchid. As well as my first Gatekeeper butterfly, the orange and brown wings showing brightly as it basked on the fronds of Bracken, here a couple of dark chocolate brown Ringlets perched, wings closed allowing me to admire their seven rings. Whirring then resting were Small Skippers, and on close inspection an Essex Skipper – very similar except for the colour of the tips of their antennae – which were black rather than orange!
Lots of Hoverflies also on the wing including the interestingly names Sun Hoverfly, which has vertical stripes on its thorax.