Shimmers of purple and green
Beautiful, misunderstood
Feral pigeon or dove?
Thick clouds hung low above the park this morning, with a slow mist rolling across the slopes. The weather however had not deterred the Skylarks who’s persistent song could be high above the grey. As I set out along the ridge, a charm of Goldfinches passed overhead, still adorning their drab winter plumage.
On this day of the spring equinox, the downs are covered in a splattering of purple flowers where Violets have come in bloom. Look closely and you might spot the first few basal leaves of Early Spider Orchid and Early Purple Orchid preparing for the season.
Amongst the scrub, bright green Hawthorn leaves have began to sprout whilst buds of Blackthorn emerge alongside their pretty white flowers. In the gully the constant chatter of Chiffchaff dominated the soundscape, whilst the distant call of Gulls could be heard from the coast.
A sense of the forthcoming spring was in the air at the cliffs. I could see the Guillemot’s ledge was packed with hundreds of the birds. A pair of Jackdaws could be seen collecting twigs together, whilst Fulmars guarding their nest spots routinely swapping shifts between their pairs.
A nearby group of Pigeons cooed from the rock edge. It struck me how bright and colourful their iridescent feathers shimmered, even on such a dull start to the day.
As I made my way back to the office, I admired the explosion of Grape Hyacinth on one of the car park verges. This distraction lead me to spook a lone Rabbit who bustled back into the hedgerow. Cat reported a Roe Deer in the vegetable plot garden this morning – best make sure those beds are well protected!