Painted Ladies bring elation
But summertime is leaving soon
Autumn’s touch brings complication
Departs the flowers that are your boon
Fly without care, display your glory
Heedless of what is to come
Autumn closes out your story
Spring shall start another one
As I entered Durlston via Long Meadow I was again greeted by a number of Painted Ladies, rising from the hedgerow and making meandering flights over the Meadow, the mixed sound of Meadow Grasshoppers and Field Grasshoppers. Agrimony and Fleabane were growing enthusiastically, with a small group of Goldfinches leapfrogging over each other on the path ahead.
The bird ringers had again made a rich array of captures, with Nightjar (actually caught this time) Grasshopper, Garden and Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Tree Pipits and a Green Woodpecker. Well done again chaps.
A light breeze had risen, lightly tussling my fringe as I crossed Saxon Field. The skies above were hung with light cumulus, flat bases and pale colouration heralding good weather, or so I’m told. Eyebright and Red Bartsia were flourishing here, their smaller more intricate flowers adding a layer of subtle beauty to the landscape.
I crossed the Drove, noting a few small Yarrow in bloom as well as an abundance of Wild Clematis. The Meadows are now browning significantly, swaying arms of Cocksfoot and Tall Fescue dominating the sward. Descending to the Cliffs I even spied an odd shrivelled Yellow Wort in the grass. The sound of rushing water drew my ear and I turned to see the leaves of a Sycamore rippling as the wind passed over them. An audio illusion, but perhaps not that different a phenomena. No wonder they sound alike.
The most unusual sight of the day came from the woods above the clifftops. A single Jackdaw was mobbing a passing Sparrowhawk, lunging in with reckless courage and trying to strike it mid flight. Each time the raptor would peel away before contact was made, only to have its more agile pursuer wheel round for another strike. In the end it was forced to retreat. I salute you brave Jackdaw, may we all find courage like yours when we need it.