The weather’s fine again today
Just like the day before
It should be wet, it could be May
The Skylarks sing and soar
The morning warmth is soft and kind
Yet also most foreboding
The seasons they are less defined
Their edges are eroding
Today’s weather was again worryingly sunny for a February morning, with the suns golden light noticeably warming despite having to penetrate the atmosphere at a rather oblique angle. Most of the morning chorus was provided by Wrens, with the odd Chaffinch or Goldfinch chiming in. As I approached the Learning Centre I detected a few House Sparrows as well.
Heading on to Large Copse I passed a quintet of Jays, each blasting an impressive screech as it took flight. Beneath the shade of the Black Pines I scanned for new fungi arrivals and spotted a small specimen that looked like a juvenile Chicken of the Woods. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.
Beyond in the Saxon Field a few Blue Tits were squeaking away, with a Great Tit clearly audible further down in the Drove. I passed a silent Blackbird on my right and as I exited the field a small patch of Crow Garlic.
On to Brian Johnston Meadow a group of around 8 Magpies were foraging around the hedgerows. A Green Woodpecker yaffled somewhere in the distance and I noted a few more unseasonable Dandelions growing along the margins of the path. Most surprising of all was a Skylark, rising above the Meadows in a full display. As much as I enjoyed watching it, it made me uneasy.
Traversing the downs I noted a few Egghead Mottlegill fungi on my way down to the clifftops. A Rock Pipit dived over the edge of the wall by the Tilly Whim Caves as I examined the ledge ahead. It was empty, with the Guillemots stretched out in a large raft below. I counted around 150. I returned to the Learning Centre with the growing heat of the morning for company.
Gale reported sighting a Badger on lighthouse road at around 8pm last night along Lighthouse Road.