Reserved in colour, unchecked in number, Meadow Browns pervade
With forest dwelling Speckled Wood alighting in the shade
Back and sanguine, grandiose. Red Admirals display
Small Skipper, Common Blue and more can all be seen today
As I entered the park this morning the sky was half covered with a light layer of various cirriform clouds. It seemed they were doing nothing to hamper the sun with its heat considerable even at this hour.
Long Meadow was looking as resplendent as ever with the current medley of wildflowers including Agrimony, Common Vetch, Red Clover and Self Heal. Meadow Bindweed was twisting around whatever it could get its vines on and the air was filled with Meadow Browns. Marbled Whites were almost as prolific and as I watched them flutter my ears detected Wren, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Magpie, plus a sudden clatter from a flock of distant Jackdaws.
Embarking out to the meadows I noted the preponderance of Ladies Bedstraw that we are enjoying this year, as well as the continued abundance of Pyramidal Orchids, even in the Car Park. Monumental.
No sooner had I set foot into South Field I heard the distant strains of Skylarks, eager to get their performances in with the wind so calm. Pausing to remove a few old staples from the gate of the Large Copse, a Red Admiral fluttered down and rested momentarily at my feet. A most welcome visitor.
Taskers Meadow boasted a few remaining Pale Flax, as well as lots of Yellow Rattle. Saxon Field contained a pair of mouthy Whitethroats, as well as a few stems of Field Scabious. That isn’t all that’s in there, it’s just all I’ve chosen to speak about at this moment in time.
A wide circuit out to the Downs yielded several more interesting spots: A Six Spot Burnet Moth fluttered between flowers, with a Common Blue arising from the path ahead of my step further along. A Swift passed overhead, its distinctive call carrying far on the still morning air
At the observation point I got a great view of our four resident Kestrels, with two park visitors there also reporting a pair of Peregrine Falcons, Small Skippers and Green Hairstreaks along the Coast Path. It’s a great day for wildlife today folks, get out there and see some.