In the learning centre car park, I hear a Blackcap, as a Wood Pigeon, Robin and Goldfinches are spotted. As I start to walk on Long Meadow, the sound of Grasshoppers and Bush-Crickets sound whilst a group of Linnets sing away as the fly above me. Wild Carrot, Ragwort, and Bristly Oxtongue can be spotted amongst the long grasses towards the beginning of the path.
Along the Hedgerow to the left of me, scrub of Dogwood, Blackthorn and Hawthorn can be seen, whilst maple trees such as Field Maple and Sycamore are present, as well as other tress such as Horse-chestnut, Pedunculate Oak, and Ash. Ground layer plants are also seen, such as Harts-tongue Fern, Shield Ferns, Tuffted Vetch surrounded by Brambles, and Horsetail. Within the scrub, a Great Tit can be heard singing away, as well as a Wood Pigeon and Jay, and a Robin just sitting on Blackthorn like a museum model – I managed to take a photo before it flew away.
To the right of me other plants can be spotted, Birds-foot Trefoil, Red Bartsia, Brown Knapweed, Field Bindweed, browned Yellow Rattle, Red Clover, Agrimony, Selfheal, and common fleabane. This meadow hosting a wide variety of fauna species, ones spotted butterflies such as: Gatekeepers, Marbled White, Brown Angus, and Meadow Brown, other insects such as: Turnip Sawfly, Common Green Grasshopper, and Soldier Beatles. In the distance, Herring Gulls are heard reminding me that the English Channel is not too far away.
At the end of Long Meadow and into Solent Road as well as the Pleasure Ground an open landscape turns into woodland of predominantly Holm Oak, as the evergreen blocks the sun from hitting me and Stinking Iris is another ground plant spotted. Within the pleasure grounds I hear a Dunnock and a Wood Pigeon. I decide to take the Play Trail, here I spot a small Holly bush, a Butterfly Bush, and a few pockets of Hazel. I sit down to try and listen out for some birds, over the Gull species squawking away, I could hear a Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, as well as another Robin.
Have a great Friday!