The reign of rain continues, all is second to its whim
The land reshapes and life adapts. Two choices: Sink or swim
It follows but its natural path, there is no other way
Resistance least? Before this beast nothing can hope to stay
Trees are toppled, maps redrawn, whatever the beast wishes
The reign of rain continues, and soon we’ll all be fishes
Padding up the hill to Durlston this morning I passed by the fringes of the woodlands. Wrens, Dunnocks and Robins were all to be seen and heard, largely remaining within the shelter of the tree cover where they could. A few Primroses decorated the verges and as I approached the Learning Centre the thin chive like stems of Crow Garlic became prolific.
After adding a second layer of (hopefully) waterproof garments I braved the elements again, the rain drumming down relentlessly as I arrived at the Large Copse. The path was half submerged, the water table having risen enough to overwhelm this usually dry area. Fresh Jelly Ear, Brown Mottlegill and Blistered Cup didn’t seem to mind the flooding and I was surprised to see a young Blackthorn covered with blossom in the hedgerow of Taskers Meadow.
Saxon field was similarly waterlogged, pools forming on the surface and making me worry a little about the fate of our still dormant Orchids. We shall see soon enough. A Wild Parsnip seemed untroubled by the weather, its fresh yellow umbel spreading wide, but failing to deflect the rain like its namesake. Somewhere nearby a Song Thrush was singing in the rain, evidently more cheerful than the Herring and Great Black Backed Gulls that squatted noiselessly atop the grass.
I knelt to examine a Yellow Meadow Ant nest, casting my eyes over the shifting patterns of green on its surface. Common Tamarisk Moss, Glittering Wood Moss and a third variety I am as yet unfamiliar with.
Walking above the Gulley a brand new river was flowing through the park. I followed its progress upstream to the pond in field 3, which had become the source of the watercourse. It was quite a sight, watching the water interlacing the landscape and flowing inexorably down. It makes you think.