When mackerel skies do greet the eyes then change is on the way
When Stratiform comes with the morn then it is here to stay
When Cirrus wisp form clean and crisp it means a storm is coming
Cumulonimbus, they mean business, with wind and rain a drumming
Today was decidedly breezy again, the wind blowing insistently with a traditional English blanket of low Stratocumulus above. Patriotic weather. I was hoping the signs of moisture would correspond to new fungi sightings but unfortunately, they’re still thin on the ground. I passed the Giant Puffballs of South Field, each one now having gone to spore. The Shaggy Parasols of Large Copse were also going over. A few Blackbirds rummaged through the leaf litter as I passed, and the sharp calls of Jackdaws rang out over Taskers Meadow beyond.
Taskers Meadow had a small group of Hirundines diving and swooping above. Mostly Swallows, with a House Martin mixed in for good measure. I also came across some fresh scat from a Rabbit, and another from a Badger stained purple.
A small squall of rain passed overhead as I continued, and I took shelter for a moment in the Drove as it passed. A few Hedge Bindweed flowers still bloomed at my feet, with a Dog Rose twisting above them. It was not in flower, though it’s scarlet rosehips provided a colourful display. Much of the Ivy blanketing the dry stone walls was preparing to flower, taking advantage of the late season’s lack of competition. Very clever.
I next ventured across the Downlands down to the Lower Gulley. Knapweed and Ragwort were still fairly widespread here and I also spied yellow flowers nestled among the spines of a patch of Gorse. On closer inspection it turned out that it wasn’t in flower, rather a Bristly Ox Tongue was growing up between its arms. Looks like kissing isn’t in season folks.
By the Bridge across the Gulley the rain began to fall again. I paused for a moment to regard the vast mat of Wild Clematis flowing like a river across the other vegetation there. It spilled over tree and shrub alike, running under the Bridge and beyond like an enormous unstoppable flood. With the rain still falling I continued to the bottom of the Gulley, a few flowers of Restharrow and Red Bartisa adoring the route. As I plodded along a vivid flash of colour beside my boot signalled the presence of an Adonis Bblue butterfly, out for a morning flap despite the unpleasant weather. I’m glad I didn’t accidently step on it.