They say I have my head in the clouds
And what they say is true
I’m high above the madding crowds
Adrift in endless blue
I soar with Skylarks, speed with Swifts
And dance with Damselflies
Oh I have found so many gifts
In my new home in the skies
I had a lot of ground to cover today so I set a good pace past the Learning Centre, almost missing a Speckled Wood butterfly as I marched briskly past. Hedge Bindweed and Bittersweet Nightshade winked at me from the undergrowth as I made my way to the Meadows proper. Red Clover Sainfoin, Yellow Rattle, Red Sorrel, Pale Flax and a sudden mass showing of Rough Hawkbit blended together in a spectacular fusion of shape and colour.
Whitethroats were still enthusiastically displaying atop Blackthorn and Hawthorn bushes. Skylarks soared high, and I continued tramping away beneath their resonating voices. I spied a Blackcap nestling quietly among the tree canopy beside the Drove, as well as some delightful Honeysuckle flowers and a Small Blue butterfly dining on a patch of Bird’s Foot Trefoil.
Moving on to the Downlands I renewed my search for yellow visitors, but again I found neither bread nor cheese. Whilst looking a Kestrel flew directly into my field of vision and began riding the strong morning breeze. If only wildlife spotting was always this easy. At the Dew Pond I had a little look for amphibians, but none were spotted. I did notice a Water Boatman paddling doggedly from one end to the other. It certainly is a lovely day to be out on the water.
Down to the Lighthouse Green and I tracked down the Bee Orchids that were reported to me yesterday. Their rich colours and sculptural forms were a sight to behold. As an added bonus, a couple of Stonechats were keenly “chatting” away nearby. Along the woodland path we’ve also had two fresh fungi arrivals, with a large colony of Fairy Ink Caps appearing as well as a small patch of Wolf’s Milk. Go check em out.