A pair of Pigeons picked a perch on a passing power cable
They perched and perched without a lurch for as long as they were able
Until perchance another Pigeon perched, a pair plus one
And thus the tale of the perching pair was well and truly done
I set out under a broad blue sky this morning, barely taking two steps before spotting a Meadow Brown fluttering across the grass by the Learning Centre. Advancing towards the Woodland path down to the Castle, I spotted several more plus a couple of Marbled Whites. Knapweed, Bristly Ox Tongue, Wild Parsnip and much more were in flower, so there’s plenty of them to sup on.
Entering the Woodlands the temperature dropped perceptibly. White flowers of Enchanters Nightshade lined the path, with the rustles of Blackbirds and Grey Squirrels foraging for food coming from all directions. The Dryads Saddle was also still on display, though decidedly past its prime.
Marching down to the Coast Path, I noted Teasels showing their strange rings of flowers, almost as if they were wearing little garlands on their heads. Yellow Wort was flourishing in the cut back areas around the Globe, with fresh Red Valerian sprouting from the stone walls.
Along the Coast Path the calls of Herring and Greater Black Backed Gulls were a constant refrain, with small groups of Jackdaws loitering on the cliffs. No sign of raptors, but I was lucky enough to spy a Greenfinch as it paused fleetingly on a spur of Tamarisk. Lucky me. As I walked the sounds of the ocean created a beautifully calm ambience.
Ascending the Mile Marker Slope I admired the low carpet of wildflowers, with Squinancywort, Eyebright, Birds Foot Trefoil and Wild Thyme all spread liberally over the ground like a colourful array of jams. A pair of Pigeons perched on a power line as I plodded up. That was fun to say.
Before wrapping up I called in to the bird ringers to brag about my Greenfinch sighting (pretty good by my standards). They reported two Grasshopper Warblers, as well as a few House Martins, Swallows and a Bullfinch. Several large Poppies were growing in the Wildlife Area, I’ve never noticed them before.