Crickets chirping twixt the blades
Grasshoppers chime in too
They’ll play us many serenades
Before the day is through
Crickets wear their feelers long
Grasshoppers like theirs short
If you always get the answer wrong
To this rhyme please resort
As I regarded the morning sky I noticed the preponderance of Hirundines flying. I picked out a few Swallows among the disparate formation but had to consult the bird ringers on the rest. As I approached the entrance to the Wildlife Area I noticed a predatory form passing in the distance, the distinctive flap-flap-glide pattern of a Sparrowhawk providing a likely identification. The bird ringers confirmed my speculation, then provided me with an impressive list of observations. Their morning’s work had revealed Swifts, Sand and House Martins in the skies, a Nightjar, migrant Blackcaps, a Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and lots of Willow Warblers. A good haul.
I crossed the Car Park and proceeded to start taking down the signs from visitor survey week. A rustling in the undergrowth drew my attention and I turned to see a flank of some sort disappearing from view. The sounds of its movements were heavy, and though I followed a series of snapping sounds and swaying branches I failed to catch a glimpse. I’d guess a Roe Deer.
Painted Ladies continued to be on the wing, some flying with manic energy and others engaging in short, graceful sorties. The Woodland Path revealed fresh fungi, with what I suspect are several patches of Common Bonnets, as well as a new Dryad’s Saddle and another New Mystery Fungi. For those of you aching to know about the Old Mystery Fungi I mentioned a little while back, the current best guess is a Solitary Amanita.
At the shed I encountered Ben the Ranger going through the moth trap with one of our volunteers. I was shown a Four Spotted Footman (they caught 144), Jersey Tiger and Common Rustic. Quite the morning for sightings.
The Clifftops felt quiet as I made my way along them, though I was lucky enough to catch the call of a Grasshopper Warbler on the Timeline. A Small White butterfly fluttered its way along as I collected the last of the signs and headed back. Cream coloured with a black spot and wingtip, it isn’t the most illustrious creature in terms of appearance. Still, Old Harry Rocks are cream with a green tip and everyone thinks they’re the cats pyjamas.