Out on the park this morning a wonderful array of wildflowers from the white umbel heads of Corky-fruited Water Dropwort, the delicate pale lilac of Pale Flax, Ox-eye Daisies, Sainfoin, Tufted Vetch and along the hedgeside the tougher Bush Vetch.
Amongst these are the Common Spotted Orchids and the deep pink Pyramidal Orchids, plus Hop Trefoil, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Black Medic and Meadow Vetchling. Every now and then the brilliant cerise pink of Grass Vetchling, the individual flower appearing as if stuck on the top of a piece of grass.
Trotting around the edge of the field was a male Roe Deer, his antlers the first and only thing to be seen above the tall grasses, the chestnut fur colour noted as it rose a little higher.
Trundling across the path a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, this deep purple beetle slowly moving towards the Ladies Bedstraw on the other side of the path. Another 3 beetles were spotted on other members of the cleavers family which is the foodplant for their larvae – Hedge Bedstraw, Stickyweed and Crosswort.
On the predominantly white flower heads of Wild Carrot were the orange carapaces of Soldier Beetles, these getting darker at the bottom of the body. The Thick-kneed Flower Beetle was wandering over the yellow heads of Smooth Sow Thistle.
Flitting through the Gorse on the diagonal path were young Common Whitethroats and Linnets, lots of noisy squeaking and twittering as they moved about, the adults in attendance.
On the water, lots of Guillemots, their last few days of being here before they leave for the Atlantic. Flying high was a Shag, the yellow gape easily spotted, while soaring around the cliffs were 3 Fulmars a quite wonderful sight.
The low cronky croak of a Raven captured my ears, this huge birds landing by the Globe.