The moon this morning was like a reflection of the clouds almost see through, blending in and easy to miss bar its crystal clear circular outline. Entering the woods the psithurism of the sycamore, Holm Oak and Ash trees was a lovely calming start to my walk. Looking up through the large, 5 lobed Sycamore leaves that form a broad layer in the woodland canopy, the delicate pinnate leaves of the Ash tree are shining bright in the morning sunlight.
Long Meadow path is a fantastic place to see Gatekeepers at the moment, as I walked up 20+ flew along the hedge-line or were bathing on the bright yellow Fleabane. From the Woodland Clan activity trail Hare is looking marvellous in the morning sun and further on Blackbird is nestled in a tree hollow.
The condor was gently rumbling out to sea, the sound of which perfectly matched the gentle ripple sea state. 4 Shags were bobbing on the water their long necks and slender bill making a lovely silhouetted shape. Around me 20 Jackdaws were perched in the Tamarisk, Juvenile Herring Gulls flew uncontrollably trying to find their wings in the sea breeze, like a toddler trying to walk for the first time. Along the cliff a Peregrine was perched on the Portland stone cliff edge, watching observing from above.
A couple of Swallows swooping around, their sharp wings and tail iconic and the flight pattern quick with frequent direction changes. Walking up past the mile markers, Gatekeeps, Meadow Brown, Marble White and Skippers are all enjoying the warm sun and light breeze. The Lulworth Skipper and Small Skipper are getting tricky to identify as the Small Skippers are becoming duller and more faded in colour, unless it is very still!
In the meadows a stronger 9 degrees Northerly wind takes my attention to the ground. Although the grass is dry and muted in colour at first glance, I walked around a small area and found, Ox-eye daisies, Cinquefoil, Birds-foot Trefoil, Knapweed, Wild Carrot, Agrimony, Restharrow, Crosswort, Red Bartsia, Wild Thyme, Lesser trefoil, Red Clover, Salad Burnet, Ragwort, Bindweed, Fleabane, Eyebright and Selfheal. In a recent newsletter I wrote about going on a Meadow Meander, a lovely way to spend a Saturday!