I walk the field of short-cropped grass
A flat, unbroken verdant mass
But drawn to blooms upon the floor
I see, and grasp that it is more
I now perceive the scattered blue
The whole land dressed in royal hue
The ambient temperature was perfect for walking as I entered the park this morning, pleasantly cool with a light breeze and steadily warming sun. Taking the new path over the bridge I passed masses of Comfrey and a few more British Bluebells, their flower heads drooping patriotically to one side.
Herb Robert was increasingly in flower and the Oak Glade was still laden with Three Cornered Leek. There were two patches where the flowers had been flattened, possible traces of Roe Deer bedding down for the night.
Leaving the shade of the trees I continued up Long Meadow, Red Admirals flashing their wings atop Hawthorn Blossom on my right. Chiffchaffs, Robins and Chaffinches could all be heard, as well as a few alarmed Blue Tits.
Heading down to the Castle I raised an eyebrow at the loud call of a Jay resonating from the tree cover. I haven’t heard one for a while. A brief consultation with a bird expert on Caravan Terrace revealed that Yellow Wagtails and Garden Warblers were out and about.
Wayfaring Tree marked my passage along the Clifftops, with Guillemots and Shags to my left and clouds of Goldfinches landward. Wild Carrot, Charlock and Sea Campion provided floral decoration, and I was very happy to get a good view of a Wall Brown alighting on the Dolphin Watch Hut.
As coast transitioned to grassland I noted Kidney Vetch, as well as spears of a few soon to flower Gladiolas on Lighthouse Green. Ascending the slope I cast my eyes over the green turf, settling my gaze on a patch of Chalk Milkwort. Immediately I noticed how widespread it had become, with clumps growing all over the ground. As so often happens, my vision then “flipped” seeing the ground not as green, but a patchwork of green and blue clusters.
The Downs were full of yellow. Gorse, Crosswort, Yellow Wort, Yellow Rattle, Birds Foot Trefoil and many more interlaced over the ground. I again failed to spot a certain bird so those will have to do. At least I caught a Bullfinch outside the Learning Centre on my return. Consolation prize.