A wet rainy morning stretches out over the park, with 18mm having fallen in the last 24 hours. The clay on the surface is starting to get sticky and slippy and a walk out through the meadows. Passing the wildlife garden a Chiffchaff briefly makes an appearance on the stem of a Dog Rose, before retreating deeper into the scrub. The rose is covered in bright shiny rose hips
Dark grey clouds stretch across the sky as I enter south field, two Carrion Crows are pecking around the now short grass, having been cut a week or so ago. The cackle of a Magpie draws my attention to the birds as it retreats into the large copse, taking shelter in the large Black Pines Trees. The off small bit of Red Bartsia lines the path, having escaped being cut, its dark red / purple leaves standing out against the surrounding grass.
Autumn Ladies Tresses are still in flower in the hay rake quar, though there spiral of flowers has made it towards the top of the stem, indicating it’s not long now before they go over. Behind the small orchid a display of Rock Spray Cotoneaster can be seen covered in bright red berries, with neighbouring Hawthorn also covered in its own bright red berries.
Heading south in Saxon coming out the other side of the hay rake quar, I’m greeted by two Skylarks, zooming across the meadow. There distinctive call filling the air above the sound of the rain. Along the path, small patches of Rest Harrow can be seen just about still in flower, pale pink flowers dotting the edge of the path. Accompanying the Rest Harrow is some Birds-foot Trefoil, bright yellow flowers popping out of the grass.