Fickle fortune’s favour swings always twixt foul and fair
Springs successes waver faced with moisture scoured air
What could have been can be again if fate should have such whim
Till water brings its windfall it must save what lies within
Entering the Pleasure Grounds between the pillars I heard the cries of distant Herring Gulls filtering through the trees. Ascending via the bark chip paths these steadily transitioned into the calls of Wrens, and later Chiffchaffs as I emerged from beneath the canopy. Stinking Iris, Ivy and the leaves of Sycamore, Beech and Hawthorn all showed rich colour, a deep dark green on the forest floor to match the shady conditions. A duo of Speckled Wood butterflies twirled through the air beside me as I walked, waltzing in courtship and flashing their subtly rich decorations in the dappled light.
Surveying the car parks I noted the steadily browning turf, a clear sign of a dropping water table. As the moisture falls beyond the reach of their roots plants become dormant, abandoning their leaves and entering a form of suspended animation to survive. You can track the progress of this drop by observing plantlife; first grass, then shrubs and finally the tall trees turn brown. Fortunately we are still in the early stages, some grass still thrives, with Bristly Ox Tongue, Meadow Buttercups, Ox Eye Daisies and Knapweed all turgid enough to bloom.
Heeding the call of the Coast I circled Durlson’s southern shore, winding past the Globe beside Woody Nightshade, White Valerian and fresh Teasels. Wild Carrot was becoming increasingly prolific and I also noticed a few spears of Hemp Agrimony jostling aside the Tamarisk and reaching for the sun. Above a remarkably calm Whitethroat sat silent as I walked a scarce few feet below. It turned its head to regard me, revealing its snowy neck feathers in the process. Gazing down the cliffs a Fulmar made its stiff winged looping patrol through the sky, while the Guillemots below seemed oddly dispersed about the water. Perhaps they’re practicing social distancing?
Following a breadcrumb trail of Hedge Bindweed to the Tilly Whim Caves I heard a pair of Linnets to my right, taking wing before I could get visual confirmation. A watcher present on the scene was kind enough to confirm for me. Returning via the Diagonal Path, I locked eyes with a Roe Deer browsing on the path and held a fixed stare as I approached. After crossing some invisible boundary it turned tail, vanishing into the undergrowth.