Mushrooms rise up from the earth to spread their spores around
It’s not wise to be hasty
If you think it looks tasty
It might put you in the ground
A beautiful expansive blue sky this morning with a couple of friendly looking low cumulous clouds for company. I headed off towards the castle, crossing the Overflow Car Park in the process. A lone Triceratops stood outside it, soon to leave the park on its autumn migration to that mysterious land known as “The Loft.” Self Heal flowers were scattered among the grass and a Robin trilled away from the branches above. I was also very pleased to stumble across a Rooting Bolete fungus snuggling between the roots of a Holme Oak.
Clusters of Hemp Agrimony grew alongside the walls of the castle, as well as the similar looking Red Valerian. Further along the purple and yellow flowers of Bittersweet Nightshade became prevalent. A Wheatear nestled on a Tamarisk plant behind me, posing just long enough for me to ID it before taking wing. Above, dozens of Swallows rushed past in a near constant flow, their calls threatening to drown out all others.
Meadow Browns and Large Whites flapped their way along the path, alighting in the sun to warm up and taking flight as my shadow passed over them. I had no idea I looked so intimidating.
Down at the bottom of the gulley a group of half a dozen Stonechats hopped and darted from bush, to ground, to bush again, their grating calls marking their presence as distinctly as their plumage. Several of them settled briefly next to a Rabbit, grazing contentedly on the hillside. It didn’t seem to mind the company. Also seen by Hamish were Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers, three types of Wagtail and a Wryneck. I’ve been upstaged.
I set my sights on the Lighthouse Slope and soldiered on. There was no sign of the small purple flowers I was looking for. I did spot a small fungus, possibly a Horse Mushroom, but it could have been a Yellow Sickener, so don’t eat it, or any of the other fungi in the park for that matter. During my search, an Adonis Blue butterfly landed right in front of me, showcasing its vivid colours before setting off for pastures new. A fine consolation prize.