Another hot morning, the thermometer over 20’ as I begin at 7.30am. To greet me the superb sight of two Blackcaps perched on the sloe laden Blackthorn, the black caps easy to spot on the top of these greyish birds.
Out across the meadows to record the cutting and the number of bales produced this year. As I count my first, on top of it was perched a Wheatear. The dark eye mask leading to the dark beak, with the sandy chest below. The white rump only visible when it eventually takes flight.
However, as I enter Ox-eye Meadow a fluttering from the red berry covered Hawthorn scrub, caught my attention. As I searched with the binoculars, 1 then 2, then 4 Spotted Flycatchers appeared – just magnificent to watch as they took flight snatching an insect in mid-air to return to the twig to devour it.
At one point in my binocular view were 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Common Whitethroats and a Long-tailed Tit!!
Despite the fields having their annual cut, there are still flowers to enjoy in the uncut areas, with Red Bartsia, Red Clover and Bird’s-foot Trefoil fairly low to the ground, and the taller Yarrow, Wild Carrot and Hoary Ragwort.
Sitting on a large Burdock leaf was a Dark Bush-cricket, the pointed ovipositor of this female easy to see.
In the uncut grass a selection of others, including Field Grasshopper, Meadow Grasshopper, Stripe-winged Grasshopper and a Roesel’s Bush-cricket.
Another quick glance at the hay bales, and one a strange shape on top, as a Kestrel was standing there, possibly poised to strike or just enjoying the early morning.