Setting out this morning on the dew covered grass, the low sunlight made it feel very typical of an autumnal morning. Overhead, many Swallows and House Martins swooped over the learning centre; no doubt preparing for their journey’s south for the winter months.
At the top end of Long Meadow I kept my eyes peeled for any of the large amounts of Adonis Blue Butterflies about on the park at the moment, and hoping to see the more occasional migrant butterflies Painted Lady or Clouded Yellow. But it must have been a bit too early and chilly for any butterflies to be seen. Looking down amongst the Fleabane I spotted Common Carder Bee’s flying from flower to flower before releasing my shoelaces had collected a mass of Agrimony seeds – a nightmare for any dog owner!
Aside from the odd bale, the meadow itself looks bald having been recently cut and harvested ready to feed our Hereford cattle over the winter. I followed the hedgerow down towards the woodland, spotting the ripening berries of Bramble, Hawthorn and Blackthorn. Dashes of colour can also seen in the flowers of Betony, Willowherb and Red Clover.
In the woods, the rising sunlight from the Isle of Wight to the east glistens past the branches of Holm Oak and Sycamore. The perfect setting for a morning walk with the sounds of the sea on the shore below. I hear the familiar squark of Jay before sure enough a pair swoop above in the canopy of the trees.
The bird ringers have been busy this morning spotting Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Garden Warblers, Grasshopper Warblers, Tree Pipits, Meadow Pipits, Whitethroats, a Pied Flycatcher and of course many House Martins and Swallows.