The weather has become very unstable, lots of complicated fronts as low pressure systems sweep across Britain. Yesterday it was force 6 gusting 8, today more of the same but at least it’s not raining
at the moment when we venture out around the Harbour at Apuldram.
The tide was out when we passed the Lavant outflow with much mud and the rusty tank exposed. Plenty of swans around doing what they seem to like doing best, sitting quietly preening. A few female mallard ducks were scooting around leading their sizeable youngsters about and making sure they stayed well fed and safe. What was reassuring was the number of Little Grebes, at least five spread out around the harbour, never together. On our return the tide had come in really quickly, in less than half an hour it was now covering the mud and almost up to the sea wall.
Birdsong has changed, less from the Thrushes and Blackbirds, hardly anything from the Robins and Wrens that are still present flitting about. It’s the Goldfinches that take centre stage today, you can hear their excited chattering from a distance, sometimes we even saw them towards the tops of bushes.
It’s a grey day but there are still a few flowers to brighten up the landscape. New ones appearing today are the Great Willowherb that’s just starting to flower; its similar to the Rosebay willow herb but likes damp places in contrast to the waste ground for the Rosebay variety. Burdock is starting to appear, apparently it’s the roots that are most useful to eat and for medicinal purposes and, I suppose the drink made with Dandelions.
Finally there are Balls appearing on top of long stems in the grass, it turns out that it’s a member of the Lily family, Crow Garlic.