Cobwebs spread upon the meadow, sparkling with dew
Every time I walk the park I witness something new
Great Tits were squeaking away in the treetops, and Lesser Celandine dotted the verges in the car park this morning. I heard the song of a Chaffinch, as well as the distant calls of a Green Woodpecker. A Grey Squirrel was flitting about on the ground, as I passed it dashed up the trunk of a tree and disappeared.
Patches of Plantain (the herb, not the banana) were sprouting in Long Meadow, and a Robin was singing its heart out on the top of an Ash tree. Cobwebs peppered the surface of the meadow, sparkling with dew in the morning sun.
As I entered the woodland, I was greeted by the sound of Blackbird song from one of the neighbouring gardens. A fluttering sound above my head indicated the passage of a Wood Pigeon, the noise of its flapping is distinctive enough to identify it.
The logs lining the footpath had a rich display of fungus, with patches of Turkey Tail, and several small Orange Brain fungi visible. Further into the trees the understory was well populated with Herb Robert and Wild Garlic.
At the Victorian Seating area, a loud screeching drew my eye, and I witnessed a tussle between a Song Thrush and a very irate Magpie. I watched as the Magpie chased its hapless victim into the branches of a Sycamore, while somehow managing to be even more unpleasantly noisy than usual. As I passed the scene the raucous tones of a Herring Gull were audible in the distance. Sadly, the Song Thrush remained silent.
Gazing out of the viewpoint by the Anne and Ken bench, I spotted a lone Shag floating on the water. The bird was floating peacefully, and I got a good view of its crest, much easier to spot than when the bird is in flight.
A crowd of around 80 Guillemots was on the water today, with about 15 Razorbills mixed in. As I counted they emitted a short screeching call. There’s something about that sound that I find oddly appealing.