A chilly wind (for recently) greeted my arrival in the great outdoors, causing the meadow plants to shimmer, especially noticeable were the glorious swathes of Pale Flax, all the flowers facing to worship the weak sun that was shining slightly through the grey clouds.
Overhead a few Swallows called, their long tails easy to spot as they swept close by, Higher in the sky the tiny brown dot of a Skylark was only discovered because of the constant song it was uttering.
The Wayfaring and Elder trees are both in full flower, the heftier flowers of the Wayfaring tree contrast with the more delicate of the Elder, however the most abundant blossom is the Hawthorn or May covering many of the bushes of hedges of the Park.
Flowers galore including many vetch species, from the purple Common Vetch to the various yellows of Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch and Kidney Vetch, plus Lesser Trefoil and Black Medic.
Many hard round heads of the Salad Burnet wafting in the breeze alongside Quaking Grass while lower on the ground Eyebright and Chalk Milkwort plus a few early flowers of Thyme.
The cliffs are providing a wonderful show of Thrift, also known as Sea Pinks or Pin Cushions, covering the expanse of cliffs in pink, dotted near the Lighthouse the brilliant cerise of Gladiolus. However, despite all these amazing flowers my highlight this morning was my first Bee Orchid of the year, the beautiful delicate pink flower with the bee like inside just so clever.
Many of the taller plants such as Nettle, Goosegrass and Honeysuckle are dripping with Cuckoo Spit, within which are growing the Froghopper larvae,
Hanging onto a Yorkshire Fog grass stem was an all red Cardinal Beetle, while trundling across the ground was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle.
More birds to enjoy, with Stonechats calling, Linnets, Goldfinches, Chiffchaffs and Common Whitethroats all making for a wonderful wander around this amazing National Nature Reserve