Skies full of birds, fields full of beasts, the park is so alive
A land of natural wonders, a place where they can thrive
This tiny piece of that that was, this island on an island
We must preserve this sacred place, more precious than a diamond
The Learning Centre was surrounded by House Sparrows and Robins this morning, flittering between patches of Blackthorn in the Car Park. The Robins were particularly rambunctious, and throughout the morning I noticed several of them engaged in dust ups.
Setting out to Large Copse I noted a good presence of Great Tits, Blue Tits, Magpies and Blackbirds in the surrounding undergrowth, the park even more lively than usual this morning. When I reached the trees I ran into Ranger Ben, snapping a few morning shots of a Firecrest that he had spied among the Holm Oaks. After he pointed it out, I continued through the woods, the sounds of Chaffinches emanating from the canopy above.
I’d put on wellingtons this morning but I needn’t have bothered, the paths were frozen hard after the overnight chill. Handy for getting about, but terrible news for the fungi population. Cold and dry is pretty much the opposite of what a mushroom wants. Nevertheless, the birds are thriving, with the sweet sound of a hidden Song Thrush emanating from the Paddock as I passed.
Whilst traversing Saxon Field, I made a fantastic discovery. Cutting across the middle, I disturbed a small bird hidden amid the Tor Grass, which fluttered away a few feet before settling again. It couldn’t be…. Could it? Too early, surely? I crept up for a second look, and watched the bird rise in an energetic yet gentle fluttering flight, flashing its white underbelly. No mistake, it was a Skylark, and I couldn’t have been happier to see it.
Down in the Gulley my binoculars revealed a smudge of brown to be a Roe Deer, lying casually in a clearing and staring back at me. I continued on to the Lighthouse, enjoying the incredibly rich morning. The Tilly Whim Caves revealed a Black Redstart, as well as a basking Adder, and a morning visitor revealed that I was about 10 minutes too late to see a pair of Peregrines. Walking up past the Castle, Daffodils and Primroses were flowering. As beautiful as they are, they somehow seemed to pale in comparison to all that I had seen this morning. There’s so much beauty here, it would be impossible to add to what nature has already provided.