A quick stroll to the top of the downland in the faint hope of seeing the Marsh Fritillary that was reported and photographed there yesterday – the first ever record - the habitat here is not really suited to this species rare species, so what it is doing here is open to debate! I didn’t find it – but the sun wasn’t out and it was early.
However on the way I passed a majestic looking Bullfinch, the white rump flashing as it flew and then as it perched on the branches of the flowering Elder, the brilliant bright pink front faced me.
The sky was filled with the beautiful song of the Skylark, 5 were spotted against the grey clouds, another 2 took off from amongst the grasses of the meadows.
Waving gently in the breeze the delicate Pale Flax, its lilac petals waiting for sunshine before opening fully, alongside the bright pink of Sainfoin catches the eye as does the tiny individual cerise pink pea like flower of the Grass Vetchling, a single flower on what looks like a stem of grass.
Ox-Eye Daisies, Hay Rattle, Common Spotted Orchids and Common Vetch throughout the meadows, whilst the wonderfully named Corky-fruited Water-dropwort stands amongst them.
Dotted across the flora the white frothy blobs of Cuckoo Spit which contain a small Froghopper, protecting it while it develops.
A chestnut shape within the grasses (including Cocksfoot, Crested Dog’s Tail, Tall Fescue and Rye Grass) was a male Roe Deer, a second smaller male was standing nearby, both disappearing in the tall vegetation. The antlers of the smaller one with the prong curled at the top.
A clump of Honeysuckle covered in red, pink and cream flowers along the hedgerow, perched on top a female Blackbird, with a fat caterpillar dangling from its beak.
Yesterday we had a report of a young Tawny Owl chick hopping around on the ground – not yet able to fly. This is a good reminder of how important it is to keep dogs on leads or under very close control and on the paths, as the wildlife at this time of year is so vulnerable and could easily be damaged or disturbed.