Across the meadows a gorgeous blue hue is visible, as the Pale Flax flowers are in full bloom, carpeting above the grasses, in amongst the delicate colour, bright yellow flowers of the Bulbous Buttercup and the newly emerging yellow of Hay Rattle. These taking over from the pale yellow of Cowslips which are now going (or gone) to seed heads.
Above the song of a Skylark accompanies my wander along the mown paths, the musical song pouring forth from the tiny black dots above.
As I searched the skies for these birds, I was distracted by the black scimitar shapes of some Swifts as they zoomed aver, a couple of Swallows also spotted.
From the depth of the May blossom covered Hawthorn hedge came the easily identifiable call of a Cuckoo, such an icon sound, that is sadly heard less and less.
As I looked down the round heads of Salad Burnet, were dropping wit the white frothy Cuckoo Spit – nothing of course to do with Cuckoos, but the protective bubbles around a growing Froghopper nymph
The chatting of Stonechats as they perched on the top of the Blackthorn, a twitter of Linnets and a tinkle of Goldfinches from the Gorse, along with the call of a Chiffchaff added to my walk.
The warm sunshine bringing out some butterflies, including the brilliant vibrant Adonis Blue and the more subtly marked Dingy Skipper, (dirty white, orange and brown).
A Common Blue also noted along the field as I went towards the woods where a Holly Blue and Speckled Wood were fluttering.
The strong smell of garlic and onion wafted from the Three-cornered Leek and Ramsons, while the purple flower of Rhododendron caught my eye by the bridge. This well known invasive plant is constantly monitored here to ensure it doesn’t take hold of the woodland floor.