Bright red fungus on the floor, cloaked in a shroud of flies
They think it’s made of rotting meat, a most adept disguise
A slightly foreboding sky hung over the park this morning as I entered through Long Meadow. The Car Park hosted Teasels, Rough Hawkbit, Burdock and a smattering of Pyramidal Orchids. Walking down the timeline I spotted a few impressive specimens of Red cage fungus, as well as a large red fungus I couldn’t identify.
Moving on to Caravan Terrace, Mock Orange and Buddleia provided a pleasant floral background, with Agrimony spears protruding from the grassy verges. Ringlet butterflies fluttered from flower to flower, apparently enjoying themselves.
At Durlston head, a trio of Greater Black Backed Gulls soared past, followed closely behind by a Shag, which flew over my head. Unusual, they normally skim just over the water. The Guillemot ledge was well populated, with a few of the residents perched at extremely precarious angles. Talk about life on the edge.
Mile marker slope was blanketed with Birds Foot Trefoil, Self-Heal and Wild Carrots as I made my ascent. I stopped to make a closer study of one patch of tiny white flowers which revealed themselves to be Eyebright. So much beauty in something so small.
At the top, Spear Thistles displayed their barbs amongst the grass and shrubs. South Field was pleasantly calm, with Yellow Rattle and Field Scabious on display. I could just about hear a broadcast from Skylark FM in the distance. As I returned to the learning centre I caught the white flash of a Rabbit’s tail disappearing into the undergrowth.