Silly season had started early. Over the weekend myself and an Avon Heath colleague went posting “BBQs BURN MORE THAN BANGERS: BBQs are illegal on Heathlands” notices about some of the Urban Heaths. Whilst this morning I was relieved to discover that the Coastguard had already evicted a group of thoughtless campers from Tilly Whim ledge. On inspection the ledge was occupied by only two Rock Doves!
Long Meadow’s overflow car park had Common Spotted Orchids in flower. From a distance they resembled pyramidal orchids with their conical flower head cluster, however, the “spotted” had patterns upon their petals. Fresh Fleabane leave indicated damp areas in the meadow. Another wet ground plant was seen upon clay in the gully, this time it was Comfrey yet to open its flowers.
A Jay crossed the wooded end of the diagonal path. From a branch it exchanged surprisingly low and non-abrasive coo like calls with another. A Honeysuckle flower’s structure resembled a half-peeled banana. Path side clumps of Hemp Agrimony leaves had appeared. Blackcaps and Whitethroats were heard amongst the scrub.
Two cruise liners lingered offshore. Also, on the water were a raft of near one hundred Guillemot (with a sprinkling of Razorbills). Two Terns passed low over the sea heading west as did a Shag. Four Fulmar flew in arcs as if bouncing off the sea cliff face. The Guillemot cave had good occupation with a Peregrine Falcon perched above whilst a Shag rested on a dry ledge below.
In the gully both a Song Thrush and Chaffinches broadcast their songs as did a male Stonechat as it flew to perch on the overhead wires. Bird’s Foot Trefoil grew out of crevices within the rock face. Nearby, despite the limited sunshine, were Common Blue butterfly whose caterpillars would eat the leaves of the plant. A Speckled Wood was not surprisingly seen beside the Small Copse. Upon the Common Wares Hay Rattle lived up to its names as it held both flowers and seed pods. A pair of Goldfinches explored the surface of the staff car park.