So much is told to us through sound
So much the ears bestow
We hear what stirs for miles around
Their lives are ours to know
And when we find a second’s hush
Our ears put us at peace
For now, no foes lurk in the brush
And the ear’s vigil can cease
I passed a lovely patch of Glistening Ink Caps on my walk into the park today, the light brown cluster of mushrooms showing the distinctive “glitter dust” appearance on their surfaces. Don’t eat them, they’re poisonous. About the Car Park the mist was settling in, making my binoculars less useful. Luckily the birds were still feeling chirpy and I could pick out the clear notes of Chaffinches, Great Tits, Robins and Chiffchaffs.
A Dunnock perched on a Dry Stone Wall as I made my way to Large Copse, again distinguishing itself clearly through song. Inside the woods I heard the distant drumming of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers tapping away at a different patch of trees, as well as the unmistakable call of a Green Woodpecker.
Saxon Field was supporting fresh rosettes of Early Purple Orchids, though no spears had yet emerged. Not long now. As I continued walking I became aware of the uncanny stillness around me. There was no wind, and the sea was a silent flat calm. The thick mist served to muffle the now infrequent birdsong and this all served to create a real air of tranquillity about the park.
I continued on to Brian Johnson Meadow, where the Cowslips were continuing to emerge, though they have still to achieve their full splendour. The meadow also supported a healthy population of Crow Garlic and Ribwort Plantain.
Travelling on to the Downlands and Lighthouse Field, I stumbled across a few small clusters of Turf Mottlegill, the dark brown caps nestled among tufts of Tor Grass. Also on display were a few patches of Early Scurvy Grass, as well as a Mystery Fungus, ID coming soon. After I’d snapped a photo, I headed on past the Tilly Whim Caves, where I caught a brief glimpse of a Peregrine Falcon. The steel grey form came looming out of the fog, its build, posture and purposeful movement clearly marking it as a bird of prey. Time to get moving.