A cloudier start than normal. The online morning birdsong Gokotta with Charlie Peveret was rewarding as he encountered a flock of Crossbills in Abbott's Wood. I was finally able to contribute a garden Blackcap.
We set out to explore the scarp-edge woodland, and to try and find Babylon Down. The Whitethroats seem to have become bolder, and one was singing openly in the wood, on the way.
I was struck by the huge size of the Ash Trees at Babylon Down, a large part of which is dense woodland. Sadly, nearly all of these giants have succumbed to Ash Die-back. I was pleased to find an enormous Lime Tree, and several of the Beech trees were of a good size.
After a few wrong turns we found the meadow and \dew Pond at Babylon Down. There were a couple of Grizzled Skippers about, and the birdsong was lovely, particularly a loud Blackcap. Germander Speedwell was growing here.
On the walk back we saw patches of native Bluebell, Welsh Poppy and Alpine Strawberries. Closer to Further Plantation, the Twayblades are now fully out. The abundant Cuckoo Pint plants have started to develop their thick purple flower stems or 'spadix'.
Near to hill road I was really pleased to see my first Small Copper.
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