Sunbeams pierce the veil of cloud, first crimson, pink, then gold
Still covered in its glowing shroud the sun becomes more bold
Rising, rising, ever higher, it leaves its cloak behind
And shines its rays down to inspire the body, heart and mind.
I’ve begun to suspect there’s some sort of conspiracy going on with the aim of turning me into a hack poet. For the past fortnight we’ve had back to back amazing sunrises and sunsets and despite the clichéd subject matter I’ve felt compelled to write about them. Sorry folks, that’s what you’re getting.
Below these spectacular scenes small flocks of Goldfinches were doing the rounds, with the odd Magpie or Wood Pigeon making short flights from one tree to another. I headed towards the Castle, tapping my Beat the Street card at the station by the bus stop as I went. Go team Durlston!
Fungi were a little more active today, with a few patches of Field and Wood Mushrooms to be found if you know where to look. Caravan Terrace also supported a large Sycamore tree among the Hartstongue Ferns with what appeared to be a Southern Bracket at its base. While hunting I saw a Grey Squirrel sitting on a Dry Stone Wall with an acorn in its mouth as if it was posing for a photo. Shame I didn’t have a camera.
As I eyed up the fungi my path crossed with one of our most veteran birdwatchers. He pointed out A few Siskins, Bramblings, Redpolls and an unexpected late Swallow among the small, fast moving black dots above us. I need to stop making a habit of displaying my ignorance of bird identification, if I’m not careful then someone might find out.
Further along the Clifftops Great Tits and Wrens hid among the Tamarisk, with a Chiffchaff call clearly audible from the trees beyond. A single Shag flew in circles over the water below, with the odd Greater Black Backed Gull and Herring Gull for company.
Down by the Gulley a few Carline Thistle and Field Scabious blooms were showing. I also spied a small patch of Cotoneaster and a nice little blast from the past. The desiccated cocoon of a 6-Spot Burnet moth clinging to a stem of Crested Dogs Tail. The Caterpillars will overwinter at least once before pupating in June. So much of their lives are hidden from us.