The world is on the move today, so hold on to your hat
And keep your balance carefully or you might just fall flat
Wind and wave give no reprieve, they will not be denied
So chin up folks and do your best to hold on to your pride
I entered the park through the Woodlands today, hoping to spy some fresh fungi coaxed out by the recent heavy rains. I was not disappointed, with Dead Mans Fingers, Candlesnuff Fungus and a few Dogs Vomit Slime Moulds (not a fungi) on display.
The Met Office have issued an amber weather warning for the day due to high winds. According to our anemometer the maximum gust (so far) was a rip-roaring 49mph.
Unsurprisingly there was not much activity in the skies, which were bird free for most of my journey. A pair of Wood Pigeons made a brief flight beside Large Copse but otherwise the avians seemed to be grounded, with no birdsong discernible over the howl of the wind either. At the margins of Large Copse a few Blackthorn were still in fruit, their branches coated with Oakmoss. Beside them stood an Elder, supporting what I suspect is Common Orange Lichen. I’m just getting started with lichens, so we’ll make that a tentative recommendation.
Out on the Meadows the cracked earth still hasn’t showed signs of sealing together again. Still, it must be on the mend as I had to squelch through several muddy gateways on my journey, a reassuring sign. I also passed several cow pats supporting a Mystery Fungi. I’ll endeavour to get some pics and an id for you all, I know you’re on the edge of your seats.
Upon the Clifftops the sea was hammering against the land with terrifying force. As I navigated past the Tilly Whim Caves I was blasted with salt by the advancing ocean. Now I know what it feels like to be a basket of fish and chips. Rock Pipits were braving the harsh conditions, along with Herring Gulls, Greater Black Backed Gulls and a Peregrine Falcon. They’re tough old birds.
Returning to the Learning Centre I passed another patch of fresh Fungi which I tentatively identified as Conical Brittlestem. Conformation coming soon.