The morning felt a touch eerie with low hanging mists shrouding the park. Birdsong seemed to struggle to pierce through the blanket and so it felt rather quiet. Strolling through the wildflower meadows the colours of spring are really starting to shine. Cowslips galore and dainty Common Daisies alongside Blackthorn in full blossom and Hawthorn with lush new growth gleaming in patches of sunlight.
On the downlands the sun had burned off most of the mist. A brave Speckled Wood flitted past, despite the chill, and disappeared into the gully. More and more Orchids are showing every day. I spotted a few new Early Purple Orchids, far more Early Spider Orchids have flowered, and Green Winged Orchids are popping up across the lower slopes. Along with Dog Violets and Milkwort everything is looking delightfully purple. I startled a majestic looking solitary Roe Deer buck.
Plenty of Skylarks and Stonechats out today all making themselves heard. Flocks of Linnets chattered to each other as they streamed overhead, always a delightful sound.
Not much to be seen out over the cliffs or sea as the mist was more persistent there. A quick glimpse into the Tilly Whim entrance offered only a panicked Wood Pigeon.
The diagonal path proved to be full of life today with more Stonechat and Linnets, but also Dunnock, Whitethroat, Greenfinch, and Chaffinches.
All in all a lovely morning to be out and it looks to be yet another gorgeous day.