Another warm sunny morning. I enter the park at Sunnydale, weathered Dandelion clocks standing tall amongst the grass. They await the wind to pick up again to lift the rest of their seeds.
The woodland ground flora appears to have had a growth spurt over the past week with Stinging Nettle, Cow Parsley, and Garlic Mustard racing towards the sky. The latter two are topped with white flowers, akin to the swathes of Ramsons which carpet parts of the woodland and lend their garlic-scent into the air. Other areas are thick with flowers of Three-cornered Leek, an invasive species that thrives in this shaded habitat and outcompetes our native flora for space.
There are also towering stands of Wood Dock, and Pendulous Sedge whose stems droop with the weight of its long catkin-like flowers. It would be amiss to not mention the unfurling fronds which can be enjoyed this time of year: Male, and Hart’s Tongue Fern.
Harsh Rook caws are heard above the gentle singing Robin and more hurried Wren. These corvids have made their home atop the Sycamore and Wych Elm on Durlston and Osmay Road, where they build large stick nests in a communal rookery.
Fresh Beech, Ash, and English Oak, leaves continue to appear and add a warm layer of light green to the canopy. A Firecrest flits between the branches of tired Holm Oak leaves which contrast as they brown and begin to fall.
I continue along the Pine-cliff walk, listening to repeated calls of Chiffchaff, warbles from Blackbird, and harsh calls from a Jay. Blue Tits and Great Tits swoop overhead, and a Painted Lady butterfly dances around a sunlit glade.
It’s a good time to visit and enjoy the Spring migration with Swallow, Whitethroat, and Linnet spotted over the weekend.