Weather: Sun and clouds
Outlook: Heavy cloud cover in late afternoon
Another beautiful morning; slightly breezy, but the sun is warming and soon any chill is forgotten. Today’s walk has double purpose, I have joined Katie with the hope of working on my bird song and call ID. Katie is an excellent bird spotter, and the day does not disappoint. We strike out across the park, our path taking us from Little Copse through to Johnson’s Meadow, and leading back along the Wildlife Trail.
A male Chiffchaff, first to be seen, refuses to sing, but looks handsome and fluffy a top its perch. In Little Copse, a Blue Tit calls churr-churr from its leafy haven, while a Goldfinch sings in its raspy twit. Stch-stch-stch flitters down from the canopy, publicising the Dunnock hidden there.
In Saxon Field, I watch as a Jackdaw and Magpie take it in turns to groom a heifer, gathering nesting materials. The mother doesn’t seem to mind, she is relaxing, taking her turn to watch over the new spring calves. Katie’s attention is caught by a White Throat, so small, calling from a Blackthorn bush, and a Great Tit heard from afar professing teacher-teach. In the east-west drove, a Chiffchaff announces its presence, stating chiffchaff-chiffchaff from amongst the white Barbie-sized bouquets of a Wayfaring Tree.
The avian voices quieten at Johnson’s pond, where seen amongst the growing Bracken fronds, are the dainty white flowers of Lady’s Smock. The pond itself holding emerald green Lily Pads, waxy, lime coloured Bogbean leaves, and a singular hovering Cranefly.
Amongst the Ribwort Plantain, a plant loved by butterflies, despite it’s less than glamorous visage, is a solo Seven Spot Ladybird, taking in the sun. Nearby stands Charlock, tall of stock and yellow of flower, stunningly echoing its sister plants Mustard and Rapeseed.
Overhead, claiming its territory, a Skylark sings out with abandon from an almost singular location within the sky, its wings battering the air to remain in place. It is a truly glorious sight.
Diary written by Rosaline McGraffin