Bright sunshine to greet the start of the day, and with it an influx of hirundines. Hundreds of Swallows and Martins flickering across the sky making for a wonderful spectacle.
By the Great Globe, I stood and watched as the white rumped House Martins flew around in – if I was poetic, I could imagine then checking where they were going as they flew past Africa on this newly cleaned object.
Along the cliffs, where the parkrun course was being set up, a few Sand Martins were also spotted, while in the Tamarisk, popping up amongst the soft green fronds were Chiffchaffs, at least 25 noted here, and many more elsewhere.
Strutting along the edge of the path, a Wheatear, the sandy colour, and dark eye markings catching my attention, and as it took a quick flight the white rump was visible before it settled again.
Overhead the sound of a number of flocks of Siskins could be heard, as could that of Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.
In the meadows, more Meadow Pipits had landed, some on the ground while some were enjoying the view from the large round hay bales.
From the gully a report of a Whinchat (probably the first of the autumn?), and a Tree Pipit, plus more Chiffchaffs and a Stonechat.
The sunshine bringing out the Red Admiral butterflies, the dark bodies and wings flashed with red and white, very easy to see, as were the Large White butterflies and a few Meadow Browns. More difficult to spot was a gorgeous Small Copper, crisp orange markings on the wings.
By the Castle, clinging to the wall was a Wall Lizard, the green body glistening in the sunshine.
Reports from seawatching of 8 Balearic Shearwaters and 4 Arctic Shearwaters going west, while a single Gannet glided eastwards.