Barely a shred of sunlight as I made my way to the boundary to undertake a bit of cutting along one of the rights of way, a Blackthorn tree, weighed down by the Ivy, was hanging across the path – a quick bit of sawing and all clear again.
While there, a large flock of Starlings swooped across the sky, 100 or so flickering black dots moving in unison.
Emerging from a Hawthorn dominated hedgerow was a Sparrowhawk, closely hugging the scrub edge as it flew to another perch.
A little later, just as shafts of sunlight were beginning to blast through the rolling grey clouds on the horizon, a Kestrel took to the air, its chestnut back being highlighted by the rays while all around it was dull.
Along the cliffs the third bird of prey for the day was a Peregrine Falcon was perched on one of its usual spots, the slate grey backing blending into the background.
The sound of a Green Woodpecker came from the area around the Large Copse where the slotted footprints of a Roe Deer could be seen clearly in the mud.
The tinkling sound of Goldfinches, and as they landed on the brown heads of the Teasel, the wonderful bright yellow flashes on their wings could be spotted.
Just near Tilly Whim I was distracted from watching a Stonechat by a group of photographers, enjoying the morning’s sunrise, as I returned to the wildlife a Black Redstart popped into view. It strutted, the red tail flickering as it moved, white and grey with a smart black eye mask.
Crossing the path a hairy caterpillar – species as yet unknown – but pale brown, no markings, very hairy, about one inch long!