Wind sculpts the landscape
Twig and branch bend before it
Better not to fight
Blustery conditions today as I made my way over to Large Copse. It was a struggle to keep my hat on until I reached the shelter of the trees. Chaffinch song rang out from the hedgerows and the dried up remnants of some Many Zoned Polypore encrusted a log at my feet. Looks like not everyone’s been enjoying the April sunshine.
Taskers Meadow was a beautiful sight, with Early Purple Orchids standing tall, and a mat of Adders Tongue Fern just beginning to emerge amidst the grasses. A Robin Perched atop a Sycamore at the edge of the field, loudly broadcasting its song to the world. Some birds hide in the undergrowth when they sing, but Robins seem to lean more towards Exhibitionism.
Saxon Field also boasted a healthy population of orchids. Though not yet in flower, Common Spotted orchid plants were well represented, their basal rosettes clearly visible beside the paths. The Durlston show continues: As one act ends, another takes the stage.
I entered Ox Eye Daisy field to the strains of distant Skylarks. The field was blanketed in Cowslips, with Common Vetch plants liberally mixed in. Heading past the gulley, Chalk Milkwort, Herb Robert, Crow garlic and emerging Horseshoe Vetch formed a delightfully colourful patchwork over the ground. Well, not so much the Crow Garlic, but the others were very pretty.
Circling back to the Learning Centre, a Meadow Pipit alighted on a shrub next to me. It sat silently for a moment, before disappearing into the undergrowth by a patch of dry stone wall. Beyond, a pair of Goldfinches sat together on a patch of Blackthorn. It was a colourful morning.