A fisherman rows beside the cliffs in a boat without a mast
In this modern age
It’s good to take a page
From the book of times long passed
A cloudy morning today, with the songs of Chiffchaffs and Green Woodpecker calls filling the air as I left the learning Centre. A lone Jackdaw flew overhead as I crossed the car park and headed down to the Clifftop Trail. A Blackbird was perched on the wall at Caravan Terrace, and the tell-tale rustling of a nearby Sycamore alerted me to the presence of a Grey Squirrel.
Continuing on, I passed an Elder, its branches filled with flower buds. Soon it will be cordial making season. Despite the cloud visibility was very good, and I had a clear view of the Isle of Wight. Near the globe a few adventurous Thrift flowers are just beginning to emerge. Beneath me on the water, a raft of 64 Guillemots was spread out with three Greater Black Backed Gulls circling above them. Beyond them was a small dinghy, crewed by a man checking lobster pots. As the boat rowed towards me, the Guillemots took wing and flew out to sea in a fan formation, skimming low of the water. They coalesced into a flock, then began circling. Small groups detached themselves from the main cluster and came into land on the cliffs in sequence, whilst a Kestrel called from the woodland. A display worthy of the Red Arrows. I was so engrossed I didn’t even realise I’d put my hand in a patch of bird poo on the railing.
A Shag skimmed west over the sea as I approached the Lighthouse. I spotted a Wheatear on my left, and admired the vivid yellow Gorse flowers on my right. Walking up to the Downs a pair of Swallows darted over the scrub, and the meadow around me was peppered with Early Purple Orchids and a few Early Spider Orchids. At the top of Round Down I could hear Skylark songs in the distance, and admire the ocean of Cowslips covering several of the meadows. As I returned to the Learning centre I passed a patch of Charlock, and as I was finishing writing my morning poem my ears were treated to a blast from the whistle of a steam train from Swanage. The past still lives my friends.