Jays in the air and Sparrows in the ear
Cowslips on the ground now that spring is here
Wind on the face and mud on the boots
Rosettes in the earth with Orchid shoots
Gulls by the cliffs with white waves behind
Tea in my hand and poems on my mind.
The distinctive colour palette of a Jay swooped across the entrance road as I approached the park this morning. Passing by the Learning Centre a cacophony of House Sparrows chirped as the sun climbed steadily higher, obscured behind a translucent veil of cloud.
Padding on to Saxon Field through the Large Copse I noted Wrens, Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches in voice, with a few brown Blackbirds huddling in a patch of Bramble. Less noisy but equally charming were a few sunny Lesser Celandine growing beneath a Lichen clad Elder. Oakmoss intermingled with Common Orange on its gnarled branches.
Out on the Meadows Cowslips were becoming steadily more prolific, with a surprising amount of Ribwort Plantain springing up after the wet weather. Tucked under the blossoming Blackthorn along the Drove were several British Bluebells. Opposite them a tangle of Wild Clematis was coming into leaf. On the Downs I heard Robins and Goldfinches but failed to spot any good fungi.
Down by the cliffs several Herring Gulls soared on the brisk winds, rising and falling as the gusts ebbed and flowed. Fulmars soared beside them, a little more acrobatic in their movements while below our resident Guillemots endured the choppy seas. No retreat to deep water today.
I took another glance at the obfuscated sun as I returned to the Learning Centre. The Cumulous cover was complete, with all eight oktas of the sky shrouded in grey. Hopefully things will clear up by Tuesday for our planned evening of stargazing. I urge you all to come along folks, nothing puts life into perspective quite like a good look into the night sky.