A stunning spring morning, with clear blue skies, and a gentle breeze, carrying with it the smells of Gorse, the sea and surprisingly, Daisies – although not strongly scented, the great swathes of them across the short turf around the centre mean the air is filled with their scent.
On the way up the hill, Swifts swirl above the Aviaries, wheeling and swerving in complex, intersecting arcs, with Swallows and House Martins above Long Meadow.
Lots of trees are now in bloom, with the hedgerows full of the white blossom of Hawthorn, Wayfaring tree and the delicious Muscatel-scented Elder (one of my favourites, as it makes a delicious cordial or ‘champagne’. Less eye-catching, the green flowers of Sycamore and Field Maple.
Insects galore seen during a school session yesterday, including half a dozen magnificent Bloody-nose Beetles, munching their way through Cleavers, Holly Blue and Adonis Blue butterflies (the latter an eye-watering electric blue), along with Speckled Woods (perfectly camouflaged in the dappled shade of the woodland), a lovely fresh Orange Tip, near its food plant, the white-flowered, garlic-scented Jack-by-the-Hedge on the way down to the Castle, along with Large and Small Whites and Wall, all seen on a 15 minute stroll from the Learning Centre to the Castle.
A wonderful variety of downland plants are in bloom, including some lovely patches of gold and red Birdsfoot Trefoil (known locally as Granny’s Toenails!), along with the similar but paler and more delicate Horseshoe Vetch, the bright blue and white Chalk Milkwort and the round heads of Salad Burnet.
The dash of brilliant cerise pink by the lighthouse is the flowers of Gladiolus, whilst around the front a massive patch of Kidney Vetch providing a deep carpet of yellow.
The low croak of a Raven drew my eyes skyward as this large bird flew over, the characteristic wedge shaped tail, long wings and neck ruff all being shown off well.