I watched the rain falling onto the pond surface and appreciated the bright yellow of Cowslip near the garden hide. A solitary cream and yellow Daffodil stood amongst well mown car Park verges. Whilst two Field Maples were wearing leaves, neighbouring trees were still bear. Within Castle Wood a Sycamore pushed out some leaves into open air. Several dangling “ropes of jungle” creeper dangling and showed some fresh Old Mans Beard leaves. I noticed Bluebells before stepping onto the open diagonal path where some Blackthorn blossom showed signs of turning. Wayfaring Trees heads held off white buds within a composite head. Two cushions of Hemp Agrimony leaves slowly and silently extended skywards. Today mist obscured the seaward horizon and sun.
Before Tilly Whim steps I spotted some landward Thrift flowers, a few more, along with a bounty of Sea Campion decorated the sea cliffs. Even some Apple blossom decorated the cliff edge, albeit from amongst Bramble and Honeysuckle. Guillemot sea cave occupancy was very high. Regardless of the cliff foot froth a sea swell easily one hundred Guillemot formed a loose raft extending outwards from the cliffs.
Up to four Fulmar were seen in arching flight. I got clear views of an upper cliff roosting pair. A few metres below a pair of Razorbills were clearly hoping to breed. For the local U3A members that were with me last week, I confirm that Fulmars, like gulls, only “fish” from the sea surface. An activity I have not witnessed, yet! Offshore sun was mirrored upon the sea due to a cloud gap. In an open crevice below the observation point it might have been a Raven that sheltered. Tamarisk, holding needles predominantly towards branch tips, hosted rain drops. A few Three Corner Leek flowers were enjoyed before the observation point.
I went “off piste” under the canopy of castle wood. Beneath evergreen Holm Oak was a waxy leaf carpet or an Ivy mat pierced my Stinking Iris leaves. As deciduous trees entered the mix, Lords and Ladies knee high Holly, Bay and some Hawthorn growth showed thanks to sunlight be able to reach the ground. A fallen Sycamore with exposed root ball had fresh buds on slender branches. Older branches were dead and dry, whilst nearby Harts Tongue Fern and Bluebells showed. The sounds of trilling and calling Wrens was very clear.
Through the Pleasure Grounds I then returned via Long Meadow where a single Early Purple Orchid flower stem caught my eye. It was a treat A Chaffinch pair landed amongst the hedgerow where Branching Lichen was beginning to be obscured by leaf cover. to see Dog Wood and Hawthorn blossoms. Horse Chestnut had inverted floral chandlers yet to open.