Yesterday, with students Eddie & Lawerence we worked on the western boundary replacing a coast path kissing gate. We relocated a juvenile male Slow Worm from a redundant post hole. Whilst there were heard a Peregrine Falcon calling, perhaps deterring a Greater Black Backed Gull from coming any closer.
Today, although sunny with some cloud, was rather breezy. Listening dew sat upon grass, where my shadow was not cast. Between two leaf laden Field Maple an Ash had just begun to show leaves. In the Large Copse none of the Ash showed leaves although the Sycamore were doing well as the wind was heard passing through needle and cone wearing Black Pines. Spotted near Reservoir Copse were a couple of Roe Deer sat down in the meadow, ready to run for cover in needed. Alongside the Copse’s dry stone wall boundary, was and abundance of flowering Garlic Mustard.
Bulbous Buttercups had joined the flowering Cowslips in Taskers. I took in the clump off healthy Adders Tongue Fern, then was delighted to find more in Saxon Field. The Saxon cluster were stunted in comparison due to the wet ground having been widely tampered, however, the prevailed alongside what the leaves of Fleabane. A patch of Early Purple Orchids was found in Saxon North, then a line of Bluebells near the water trough and wall. Upright stems with curled fronds of Bracken reminded me of Triffids! Patches of fellow spore bearing lower plants were represented by Mares Tails. Scratchy Whitethroat vocals rang out, and off course there was a Skylark choir which was accompanied by an aircraft rumble. Herb Robert decorated a gateway before the drove.
Through meadows I ventured onto the quarried slopes of the downland. Here was a sea of Tor Grass moving in the wind. Wayfaring trees sprouted from a former quarr adit face. I sat upon a stone stile step in shade and out of the wind. I hoped of a chance to find some birds on the scrub edge, instead I had to be satisfied with a “cronk” and a Raven pair coming into view. Going over the stile it was a contrast where Lighthouse Field had been well grazed. Whilst seeking out Gentians I was delighted to at least find Eyebright, albeit ground hugging.