The winds of change are blowing
They sweep across the land
The winds they are not slowing
The winds have something planned
Life will find a way of course
The living always do
We must bend before this force
Because change is coming through
Horsetails and Coltsfoot crowded the margins of the path as I entered the park today, an appropriate pair if ever I saw one. A Green Woodpecker called out as I embarked on my way to the Large Copse, two Rabbits bounding into the scrub at my approach. On Skipworth Meadow a dog walker and I watched a Roe Deer bound away, disappearing into the hedge with the Purbeck Hills rising behind in the distance. The park is designated an AONB for good reason.
Butterflies were a constant presence on my walk today, with the delicate Common Blue and the more vivid Adonis Blue a regular sight. I also spotted several Speckled Woods, a few Orange Tips and sixteen Meadow Browns. It’s hardly surprising considering the plethora of wildflowers on display, a fine buffet table.
I continued out to Holcombe and the Herron Ground, the colourful scene worthy of an impressionist painting. Ribwort Plantain was showing its small rings of flowers, like a miniature Teasel. Pale Flax poked through the long grasses, and in the field margins I spotted Dog Roses and Hedge Bindweed. Whitethroats were still keenly displaying, with Chiffchaffs heard but not seen. I also saw a Skylark on the wing, but not in full display. It was flying low to the ground letting out short intermittent bursts of song, like a vocal warm up. This experience felt rather like meeting a famous musician backstage after a concert.
As I entered Brian Johnson Meadow a stiff, cool breeze rose up to meet me. Overhead the dull roar of a jetliner sounded and I looked up to see this technological marvel cruise steadily overhead. Another Omen.
Out on the Downland the Pyramidal Orchids were flowering nicely, along with Milkwort, Eyebright and Kidney Vetch. I returned to the Learning Centre via the Lighthouse road past a Small White Butterfly and a few patches of Burdock, the cool breeze still blowing.