It was lovely to see a Song Thrush singing atop a Hawthorn first thing. It’s white breast mottled with brown spots, which if you saw up close, resemble upside-down hearts. The bird sings through repetitions of different notes, creating a curious medley of song which sounds across the meadows.
Soft backing vocals are provided by a Wren hidden amongst the trees. Field Maple and Hawthorn now flourish with green leaves, joining that of the Horse Chestnut and Elder. Ash and Sycamore buds begin to open, adnd will be the last to fill the canopy over the coming weeks.
Already towering along the sunny footpath into the Large Copse; Garlic Mustard and Nettle. Goosegrass intertwines. It’s sticky leaves climbing up the other vegetation. It’s cooler and dark under the canopy of the Black Pines. A change in flora; dew-covered leaves of Wood Dock, Ivy, Wild Arum, and Stinking Iris in fruit.
A plywood Skylark greets me as leave the copse for Taskers. It reminds dog owners to keep their dogs on leads to not disturb these ground-nesting birds. And sure enough, the beautiful song can be heard somewhere high in the sky, woven through the clouds.
The field is scattered with cheery yellow Cowslips and more inconspicuous Ribwort Plantain. A brilliant showing of Early Purple Orchids are displayed along the boundary with Smithfield. I finally visit the patch of Adders-tongue Fern in the South-western corner, after having directed many visitors in past week.
Next I move into Saxon Field, where an abundance Early Spider Orchids bloom near the old rusty hay rake. You must watch your step to avoid squishing the small green spikes which blend seamlessly with the ground. More apparent are the darker hues of blue Chalk Milkwort, and purple Dog-violets.
Just behind here, a small patch of scrub has become entangled with Clematis and Honeysuckle offering a safe nesting site for a Robin who watches over it, carrying grass in its beak. Dunnock, Chiffchaff, and Great Tit in song.