The grey cloud covered the sky, and water dripping down making my early walk very damp.
Most birds sensibly tucked up deep in the scrub, but I did encounter a male Bullfinch as he flew between a Blackthorn and a Hawthorn bush. A flash of bright pink (from his chest) followed by the splash of white of its rump, accompanied by the squeak of his call.
From the rambling Bramble, a ‘huu-eet’ sort of sound emerged, after drying the binoculars, I was able to make out a Willow Warbler deep amongst the trailing stems.
Across the meadows, the wildflowers had a covering of water drops, with the Black Knapweed providing a swathe of purple with Field Scabious a more delicate lilac.
Along the edges of many of the paths is a border of Red Bartsia, the dull pinky flowers not appearing to be all around the stem, giving it a lopsided look!
A variety of yellow pea family flowers to identify and or admire including Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Hop Trefoil, Black Medic, Yellow Vetchling, and Tall Meliot.
Across the wet grass slid some very long Slugs – most likely to be Arion ater – also known as the Great Black Slug, although they can be a variety of colours including brown, black, grey, orange or red!
Some super examples of the Garden Snail, White-lipped Snail and Wall Snail all oozing their way around the park, the damp ground making it easier for them to travel.
In the moth trap a few species, with the Drinker, Garden Tiger, Scalloped Oak and Brimstone all very distinctive so easy to identify at a glance. Not so for the Vines Rustic, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing or Smoky Wainscot which took a closer look.