Walk by lamplight, walk by moonlight, walk by light of the sun
Walk by highways, walk by byways, alone or with someone
Light from each source will light your course, from ball or bulb or flame
And any spark helps in the dark. In the end, they’re all the same
I started a little earlier than usual this morning, walking up to Durlston on a half twilight under the glow of the streetlamps. I noted a few fungi on the verges and among the trees as I made my way to the Learning Centre. A couple of fresh Shaggy Ink Caps were emerging, as well as a lone Glistening Ink Cap.
Green Woodpeckers, Goldfinches and Robins were all to be seen and heard around the Car Park as I headed out to Large Copse. Passing by the Wildlife Area I caught up with the bird ringers who’d bagged their first Redwing of the season, as well as some Goldcrests and Firecrests.
Large Copse was hosting a number of impressive Shaggy Parasols, nestled snugly among a low carpet of Ivy. A silent Jay flew past the hedge bordering the Saxon Field, with the startled call of a Blackbird following behind it. As I walked I glanced down at the swathes of Fleabane beside the path. Their flowers had gone over and their stems were slowly shrivelling up. Autumn must really have come if even the fleabane has finished.
Saxon Field revealed yet more fungi, with Egghead Mottlegills and another Mystery Fungi setting up shop on the abundant cow produced fertilizer. Field Mushrooms were also flashing their caps about the place, squatting together in small clusters among the grass.
I headed out towards the Downs next, passing round the top of the gulley and noting the odd Rabbit bounding into the scrub. Descending down to the lighthouse I spotted a suspected Grassland Puffball on the way.
The Clifftops were quiet, the only perchers other than the Jackdaws being a single Greater Black Backed Gull and a Peregrine Falcon sitting just above it. The latter’s feathers were being ruffled in the light breeze, giving it a slightly shabby appearance that somewhat undercut its normal regal affect. I ran into a man with a camera the size of a small anti tank weapon who informed me that a few Gannets had been flying by earlier that morning, possibly juveniles based on their colouration.
On the way back up to the Learning Centre I cut through the Woodlands and was happy to note a few Conical Brittlestems had appeared, their thin stipes barely able to support their caps. Hang in there my friends.