Another fantastic bright beautiful morning, spreads across the park. Heading into the woodlands I’m greeted by the sun rising over the water bathing everything in a golden glow. Passing under a Lime Tree that is clinging on to its last few leaves at the tips of its branches the leaves turning brown and crispy. Along the edges of the path sunshine yellow Fleabane can be seen in flower.
Passing the Dell a Fushia can be seen covered in drooping trumpet like red flowers with a Buddleia in full bloom behind it. Above a Grey Squirrel scamper round a Holm Oak knocking acorns off its branches and on to my head. The branches also hosting the first of many Chiffchaff I will see on these mornings walk.
Passing the busy park run volunteers setting up for these mornings event and coming to the glass observation point. Jackdaws burst from the cliff in a blur of black wings calling to each other as they take flight. Meeting a bird watcher further round the path, they inform they have seen a Dartford Warbler and Wheatear this morning near the light house.
Slowly making its way down a steep back a Bloody Nosed Beetle’s slightly iridescent shell catches the mornings sun.
Ivy creeps over the wall at Tilly Whim, covered in lime green flowers, offering a great sauce of food for pollinators late in the season. The Tamerisk surrounding the cave entrance is alive with Chiffchaff flitting in all directions, so many of the small birds it’s hard to focus my attention on one before getting distracted by another.
Up the diagonal path where I see yet more Chiffchaff. Stopping halfway up I spot a Blackcap perched in scrub down the hill. A couple of Dunnocks also make a brief appearance. Of course, Great Tits also appear with a Robin calling from somewhere in the distance.