Another very warm day, although slightly cooler than the blistering heat of yesterday. I began my walk in the cool of the woodland and was welcomed with the loud yaffle of a Green Woodpecker hidden somewhere in the canopy. The sea glistened and sparkled in the morning light, gently rippling as sail boats and fishing boats crisscrossed ahead. A few Herring Gulls passed, lazily flapped their wings and looking in no hurry at all. A flurry of wings caught my attention as two Speckled Woods danced in the dappled sunlight, circling, spiralling towards the sky. The most activity was a little further on where I spotted a handful of Herring Gulls and Greater Black-Backed Gulls circling around a returning fishing boat trying to steal a few morsels.
Long Meadow was, as always, glorious. The hedgerow seemed to flicker and shift with the number of Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns. Agrimony standing tall, yellow flowers shining above all the other plants, patches of Tufted Vetch producing amazing deep purple displays, and Wild Carrot spreading their umbels wide to welcome in pollinators. Countless Marbled Whites flicked in and out of sight along with Large and Small Skippers. A favourite place of mine to sit, listen to, and watch the abundance of life.
I decided to continue into the wildflower meadows via the large copse. I took a moment to stop in the coolness of the tree cover and listened to a Blackcap singing before another Green Woodpecker passing overhead shattered the peace with a piercing call.
Pyramidal Orchids still remain in the meadows nestled in amongst more common Knapweed and Oxeye Daisies. Six-spot Burnets were abundant, feeding voraciously on a wide range of wild flowers, their red spots on blue/black iridescent wings easily visible from a distance.
Making my way back I stopped to take in the sea view and cool off in the gentle breeze. Chiff Chaffs sang, as bees, hoverflies, and dragonflies buzzed and the chirruping of grasshoppers and crickets filling the air with the noise of life.