A breezy start to the day, with a strong north-easterly breeze roaring and rattling among the branches of Holm Oak and Sycamore, whirling through a White Poplar, making it’s leaves reveal their silver underside and sending leaves tumbling along paths in the woodland.
We have been pruning back Holm Oaks on the way down to the Observation Point (our Wednesday work party will be clearing the brash into habitat piles tomorrow) – however 4 Robins are already searching the brash piles for breakfast!
Out to sea, several Gannets pass by, gleaming white in the morning sunshine, as a Great Black-backed Gull battles the wind nearer the cliffs.
Most birds are keeping their heads down this morning, however, in the shelter of the Gully, glimpses of Redstart, Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Blackcap and Chiffchaff demonstrate that there is still plenty around, with a Wheatear seen in the lee of the Lighthouse.
A humid night last night promised a good moth trap this morning, but it seems that the strong winds may have reduced numbers on the wing, though Flame Shoulders, Brimstones and Large Yellow Underwings were all in evidence at a quick glance.
Along the sheltered Diagonal Path, Large Whites. Painted Ladies and Red Admirals flutter in the glades, with a nice patch of bright pink Centaury still in bloom.
A Green Woodpecker ‘yaffles’ as he bobs across Long Meadow, where Wild Parsnip, Wild Carrot and Bristly Ox-tongue are still flowering.
In the Long Meadow hedge, heavy ropes of Bryony berries are draped across the branches of Blackthorn and Hawthorn – their large, glossy berries looking magnificent in the morning sunshine, in shades of red, orange and green. Translucent red Honeysuckle berries can also be seen in abundance along with the berries of Hawthorn and ripening Blackberries.
Around the Park, Badgers have been making the most of the Blackberries – their ‘latrines’ overflowing with bright purple poo!