Everything seemed to be in pairs this morning as I walked through the first meadow, 2 Carrion Crows were walking around the fresh cut grass, 2 Magpies were sat along the hedgerow and 2 Ravens flew overhead.
Charms of Goldfinches flew over, mixed with other small birds and a gulp of Swallows, which swooped and swayed flying low and catching insects as they went. This reminded me of yesterday’s stunning views of hundreds of House Martins flying around the learning centre and nearby wildlife pond. These small birds with glossy blue-black upper parts, pure white under parts and distinctive white rump with a forked tail make them an easy spot next to the Swallows, collectively known as a ‘richness’ of House Martins.
This morning the ground was damp and the air warm, as the sun begun to burn off the early mist, set to be another warm day. Looking for Autumn Lady’s Tresses I also noticed flowering Centaury, Field Scabious and Thyme on the disturbed short grass patches. Over-head a loud noise thundered past, questioning what it was then turning to see a low flying Raven, of which I could hear every beat of its strong, powerful wings.
Observing a Hawthorn tree that appeared to be moving, it was a hive of activity with Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and other Warblers all moving around together, a beautiful sight. In the taller grasses and around the hedgerows, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Large White, Speckled Wood and Small Heath butterflies were all seen.
I was drawn to the sounds of verbaration out of small copse, making me go and observe from within. It was alive with the sound of small birds moving around the branches of Sycamore, Holm Oak and Ash, fly’s whizzed past my head, and as I closed my eyes the constant hum of small insects above added to the lovely sound. A little further along a Blackbird dived into the base of the hedge-line, looking huge compared to the small birds I had just been observing.
In the wildlife area the bird ringers had had an equally busy morning of Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Grasshopper, Willow and Garden Warbler as well as Spotted Flycatchers and a Tree Pipit.