Another early start under a covering of wafting mist, the sun making occasional attempts to peer through. A trip into the woods (near Solent Road path) to see the state of the Red Cage fungus Clathrus ruber, which was spotted yesterday, a spherical red lattice, today the dome had collapsed leaving a pile of red parts!
As I continued The lack of topped Ash dawned on me, and lying on the ground were the remains of the tree trunked stems, the Bracket fungus amongst others, all around its base taken a toll on its structure!
Of into the meadow to enjoy the array of plants, from the rambling purple Tufted Vetch, a relative in the pea family of the Yellow Vetchling, and of Red Clover. A couple of patches of Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil, bigger than the usual Bird’s-foot Trefoil nearby.
The wonderfully named Corky-fruited Water-dropwort starting in places to show turn its flowers into corky fruit, while popping up wit a vibrant pink the Pyramidal Orchids, alongside the much paler and mostly going over Common Spotted Orchids.
Along the path edge the strange almost heather-like Red Bartsia is joining Hay Rattle (both are semi-parasitic on grasses), while on the top of many of the white umbels of Wild Carrot are the orange bodies Soldier Beetles.
Lots of patches of Timothy Grass along with Cocksfoot and Crested Dog’s Tail, upon which the yellow papery cocoon of a Six-spot Burnet moth was stuck, nearby an emerged adult was showing off its bright red and green black colours.
A sudden flutter into a Hawthorn caught my eye, and on checking, a Cirl Bunting was in full view, perched on the twig, blending in well with the slightly browning leaves. As I watched another movement and two Cirls were heading to another bush. There have been a few sightings in the last few days so hopefully they are preparing for a second brood?
Meanwhile from above came the sound of a Skylark, while from the top of the Blackthorn scrub both Common Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff were singing.