Blackthorn blossom starts to waver and then fade away
It’s sweetened blooms will lose their savour, then cease to display
Hawthorn blossom takes its turn as spring’s white shrouded cover.
In time this flower will too adjourn, replaced by yet another
The first signs of life I encountered in Durlstons woods this morning were the twin sounds of our resident Picidae’s. Greater Spotted Woodpeckers could be heard drumming in several locations, with the unmistakable ‘yaffles’ of Green Woodpeckers also clearly audible. The latter do not often engage in ‘drumming’ behaviour bur prefer to use their sticky tongues to get food out of ant’s nests. Also to be seen in the Woodlands were abundant white flowers from Cow Parsley, Ramsons and Three Cornered Leek as well as Bluebells in small clumps. Several fungi were also in residence including another patch of Wrinkled Fieldcap and some Glistening Ink Caps. Kevin Bewley has also reported an unusually shaped Dryad’s Saddle and some False Puffballs.
I took in the Meadows next, walking steadily through the cool of the morning under a sculptural layer of altostratus cloud. Cowslips still dominated many of our fields, but a hefty crop of Pale Flax is just beginning to assert itself as a challenger. A few Red Clover had emerged with some Wild Parsnip and our impressive serving of Early Spider and Early Purple Orchids continued to decorate the landscape.
Large Copse hosted dual populations of Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) and Rumex obtusifolius (Broad Leaved Dock). They often are found growing together as they enjoy similar soil conditions.
The soundscape of the morning continued to evolve as I pressed forward. Common and a few Lesser Whitethroats could be heard filling the air with their calls. Blackbirds contributed a more melodic backing with Chiffchaffs and Great Tits repeating their regulat two tone calls. They’re kind of like the rhythm guitar and bassists of the bird world. Skylarks rose into the air for their spectacular arias. They’re definitely the egotistical lead singer of this band.
I finished up my loop by cresting the Downlands, hoping to catch the calls of a certain yellow bird but I was again disappointed. I’ll keep trying. Walking up the Lighthouse road I passed Chaffinches, Horseshoe Vetch and a few Magpies. I am increasingly running out of space as spring gets into high gear.