I heard a bird abroad the sward that flapped into a gap
A glide inside a nub of scrub, no mishap for that chap
Above thereof more tits did sit, on twigs and sprigs of green
Two birds there stirred, and then a third, it was a lovely scene
I started my route this morning roughly where I left off yesterday, heading down the diagonal path to the Tilly Whim Caves. Gatekeepers and Painted Ladies were well represented, the butterflies rising into the air as I approached before settling again after a short looping flight. Red Clover and Hemp Agrimony were both in flower and I enjoyed the pleasant stillness of the morning as I descended towards the Ocean.
I made a traversal of the Gulley next, bleached husks of thrift giving way to more colourful Ladies Bedstraw, Wild Carrot and Meadow Vetchling. With no fungi to search for, I moved my attention upward and attempted to engage in a bit of bird watching. Stonechats clacked from twisted masses of Blackthorn, with Dunnocks ducking in and out of the shade of trees. A Garden Warbler alighted briefly in plain view, showcasing its incredibly bland and drab appearance to my binoculars.
After a few minutes of watching, I continued on, a Marbled White Butterfly drifting lazily past me as I made my way to the Lighthouse Slope. A Wild Apple tree was bearing fruit by the bridge and a couple of Chaffinches chirped a greeting as I crossed over.
Ascending the slope a Swallow darted overhead, flashing its trailing tail to me for a brief moment as it banked away. Further on a Meadow Pipit rested on another knot of Blackthorn, soundlessly watching me as I passed by. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the brown form of a Hen Pheasant slipping into the long grass beside the path, completely vanishing from view. I eyed the spot as I neared, completely unable to make out the bird from among the brown stems. When I was within a few feet, it exploded upwards in a flurry of movement, making an ungainly flight away over a dry stone wall and out of sight.
As I continued back to the Learning Centre, I encountered yet more birds, with Great and Blue Tits, Whitethroats and Wrens all seen perched on various bits of greenery. As I was watching this strange gaggle, a Skylark began its ascent to my left, rising only a little, but enough for me to get a clear view of its captivating display. Sometimes a little is all you need.