Shouldering my backpack I took another walk this morning, with a cool breeze and a sky overhead that was cloudless save for a few streaks of cirrus. Alongside the road beyond Seaford cemetary, bramble and old man's beard are now well into leaf, and a chiff chaff and blackcap sang from the trees that line the road.
Down in the Cuckmere valley dog rose is breaking into leaf, and areas of blackthorn are awash with their gorgeous white "snowblossom." Here and there, patches of houndstongue, mallow and forget-me-nots are pushing through and whole carpets of silverweed can be found.
Down in the Cuckmere valley dog rose is breaking into leaf, and areas of blackthorn are awash with their gorgeous white "snowblossom." Here and there, patches of houndstongue, mallow and forget-me-nots are pushing through and whole carpets of silverweed can be found.
As I walked, bumble bees, ladybirds and a couple of comma butterflies were spotted. I found this one sunning itself in the warm sunshine and didn't notice the spider trying to hog the shot.
Towards White Bridge lies a particually lovely patch of trees where I often sit for a while, enjoying the peace around me. Here, a big bank of white comfrey is in bloom
Crossing the bridge, I followed the river back towards Exceat. Some way along, the path comes to a broad bed of reeds still bearing last year's seed heads. Here skylark song filled the air and chiff chaff and yellowhammer called nearby. An early hawthorn was awash with the first flush of spring leaves.
The grassy banks alongside the river are now fresh with new growth. Daisies and dandelions are in bloom and amongst the grasses clovers and vetches are pushing through.
Below can be seen a photo of one of the many dykes to be found in the area. Amidst the dense margins, water mint is sending up new growth and some of the shallower dykes are already awash with carpets of common water crowfoot bloom.