Having seen Tadpoles over the weekend I was drawn to the wildlife pond. As expected, the presence of eleven Smooth Newts meant any frog spawn had a low survival rate. A Pied Wagtail briefly paused on the dry edge of the pond. Water Mint and the “soon to open” white buds of Water Lilies interrupted the water’s surface. Around the pond a few Lady’s Smock flowers clung on whilst Ox Eye Daisies put on a good show. Under two “reptile sheets”, Red Ants had guards protecting the colony’s eggs.
Walking through the long growth of the uncut bird ringer rides, I flushed a Wood Pigeon, yet a Hen Pheasant sat unusually frozen. It was between several Ant Hills and I got within two metres of her. Vainly I thought she was clucking at me; I went forward hoping to see the eggs on the nest. However, several small brown shapes scattered which were Pheasant chicks! Guiltily I beat a hasty retreat as the sound of another ground nesting species, the Skylark, drifted across from the meadows.
Pale Flax and White Clover joined in with flowering whilst only the leaves of Ragwort were seen. A Kestrel passed over the Upper Gully whilst offshore the sea looked calm. Upon it were two “pot” fishing boats, two angling boats and a raft of fifteen Guillemot. The later, off the gully mouth, looked to be drifting west! Honeysuckle flowers bloomed from a scaffold of thorn and Bramble. Of course, it was Hawthorn showing blossom.
Hamish reported having seen three Yellow Hammer, a Yellow Wagtail a Green Hairstreak along with Adonis, Common and Small Blue butterflies! At Lighthouse Road bridge a snail shell hinted at a Song Thrush’s anvil. A male Stonechat passed by whilst Elderflowers were open.
I enjoyed the flush of Kidney Vetch and Thrift at the gully mouth before I went in search of Early English Gentian. I found them in one of three spots. Success was beside the road above the upper mile markers. On one plant only one of nine flowers had a purplish bloom opened to the sun. Soon more plants and flowers were seen around the rock exposure. It was great to see them their absence last year.