There’s a hum in the air as I enter the woodland at Sunnydale. Flies circling the cool shade below a full canopy of Ash, Sycamore, and Wych Elm. Some dappled sunlight reaches the ground flora which now towers some 4-5’ high. Nettles, blooming Cow Parsley, Wood Dock, and Pendulous Sedge.
Theres competition amongst the soundscape too, with a showdown between the loud cawing Rooks, the distinctive Woodpigeon coo’s, and the high pitched ringing song from multiple Wrens. Two Chiffchaff chase one another into the Willow and actually fly into my head as they emerge. A feather falls from my hair.
I follow the pathway, twisting through an understorey of Ferns; fresh unfurling fronds of Male and Hart’s Tongue. The last of Wild Garlic petals have dropped and their leaves now trampled down to reveal the white stems.
Further into the woods, The dawn chorus builds in intensity. I hear Robin, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, and Blackcap. At one point a Song Thrush is heard, its unique repetitions standing out above all the other high pitched songs. The Blackcap notably singing within the crown of a small English Oak but completely hidden from sight.
The low hum of a motor boat is heard as I reach the coastal path with a compelling view of blue across the calm Durlston bay. Lovely day for it. I can feel Sun’s warmth hit me as the canopy of Holm Oak thins towards the landslip, a Large White flutters overhead to complete the scene. It’s wings matching that of the white chalk stacks at Old Harry Rocks rising out of the haze.
Pink Dogrose in flower and Holm Oak leaves falling onto Dandelion clocks. A Boat Bug catches my eye amongst the swathes of Fleabane, not yet in flower, but still speckled with the yellow of Wood Avens, Bulbous, and Meadow Buttercup.