A much calmer day following the strong winds yesterday. The sun shines bright, yet I still questioned my decision to not wear more layers as I set out this morning. Perhaps it will become ‘t-shirt weather’ later this afternoon…
A very unusual sighting spotted above the park first thing- a thick white contrail cutting across the vast openness of blue. It really stood out to me (and apparently another visitor too!), funny how quickly we must have become accustomed to seeing empty skies. A few Swifts also fly above, likely making the most of the nearby pond and swooping down for a quick drink in flight.
I walked around past the Warden’s cottage and found a red tipped feather blowing along the ground. I immediately looked up, rather optimistically thinking I’d spot the bird from which it had fell. Strangely, I saw a bright red chested male Bullfinch hopping along the hedgerow, followed by a much a less conspicuous female. I looked at the feather once again, only to realise its much more brown than red – I knew it would be too much of a coincidence! The Bullfinches soon disappeared into the scrub amongst the bright white ‘mayflowers’ of Hawthorn and umbrellas of Elderflowers.
A sunny scattering of yellow can be enjoyed across the meadows, with flowering Meadow Buttercup, Cowslips, and Bird’s Foot Trefoil. Occassionally even more sunny flowers can be found in Yellow Rattle and Crosswort. I take the short walk to the bottom corner of Centenary meadow to see the lovely pink flowers of Sainfoin bursting into bloom, all the while with joyful Skylarks singing above.
In Hogget Mead a brilliant dry stone wall is being constructed with some lovely squared edged stones. A Dinghy skipper butterfly dances along the top, stopping briefly on the Yellow Mustard flowers creeping up behind it. Around the corner, a large dead Hawthorn Tree has finally given over, falling into the old quarry workings below. It was likely trampled by the cows looking to enjoy the Ivy growing up it’s trunk.