A beautiful sunny morning with a slight cooling breeze, the ground damp and slippery in places under foot from yesterday’s rain. Heading through south field I spot my first Common Spotted Orchid of the year, once I have my eye in them seem to pop up all over the field. Amongst the orchids Yellow Rattle can be seen is large numbers, swaying gently above Buttercups and Pale Flax can also be seen.
In the hay rake quar I look to see if any of the Early English Gentian are still out, I spot one though it seems to going over having gone slightly brown in colour rather then a deep purple. Horseshoe Vetch and Chalk Milkwort can be seen in large numbers in the area as well as a small patch of Eyebright with tiny little white flowers. Further along the path a single large white flower stands out amongst the tall green grass, on further inspection its Burnet rose flower atop a single stem.
In oxeye I’m treated to a wonderful display of Oxeye Daises the tall flowering stems towering over most over things. Below Common Sainfoin is in full flower the deep pink flowers clustered together on a tall flowering stem. A Gate Keeper Butterfly flutters past coming to land on a blade of grass.
Through the gate on the south end of the oxeye I stop to look at some Wild Clary, behind lying on pile of stone an Adder basks in the sun. lying flat against the stones spreading its body out trying to increase the surface area exposed to the mornings sun to warm itself up. The diamond pattern on its back on full display the dark colouring indicating it’s a male.
Heading back through the top of light house field I watch as a Robin, White Throat and Goldfinch share the top of a Blackthorn, the three songs blending together to become one, before all three are scared off a large Carion Crow landing amongst them.