The rain last night put a dampening (literally) on any chance of an evening walk, so I was glad to get out this morning and have a wander. Unfortunately the wind was still roaring which meant that the birdsong near the Learning Centre was lost on the breeze and the path was strewn with abandoned leaves. Overhead though the sun was still shining and the sky was blue with a few white wispy clouds.
The Honey Bee colony on the way to Skipworth Meadow was quiet, all bees still tucked up in their bee beds. 1 Magpie swooped across the anthills.
Down into the Copse the wind dropped enough to hear a family of 5 Blue Tits which showed themselves as they passed from tree to tree whilst a Chiff-Chaff called out but remained hidden.
In the Copse the damage from last night’s stormy weather was evident with an Elder Tree branch having been hewn asunder. The damp logs along the floor were decorated with beautiful spiralling fungi. The dark forest canopy contrasted nicely with a forest path now made of shiny bright green leaves.
Into Taskers Meadow the usual suspects fought the wind to stay upright – lots of Common Spotted Orchids, Yellow Rattle, Red Clover, Buttercups and Ox-Eye Daisies. Across into Saxon 1 Swift valiantly fought the breeze. The sea in the distance glistened with whitecaps.
In Centenary Meadow the Skylarks were absent, but I was graced with the sighting of 12 Swans flying across the skyline. The grasses swayed mesmerizingly.
Through the Woodland I spotted Orange Brain Fungus, standing out against other torn debris. The sun shone through the trees creating a dappled light.
Caravan Terrace was a more sheltered spot, and a couple of Common Blue Butterflies were photographed being nudged away from their flowery resting places by buzzy Bees.