Once again the most obvious activity out on the National Nature Reserve was that of Swallows. Not only could they be seen flitting just above the hedgerows and streaming across the grey skies, but their calling was a constant accompaniment to the early walk.
It is just wonderful to be able to enjoy this sort of sight, alongside the Swallows a few House Martins and a few Sand Martins were also visible, the white rump and more deep blue coloured of the House Martin differing from the duller brown of the Sand Martin, with a close view from underneath the collar could also be seen. Trouble is they move so quick!!
Much slower movers were the Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, a shiny black with purply-blue joints which trundled in a slight rocking motion across the path, and a Devil’s Coach Horse which was wafting its tail in the air – like a rearing horse?
The Hawthorn bushes are looking amazing, with covering of bright red Haw berries, hopping in and out was a Chiffchaff, the greyish-green coloured bird showing off its paler strip above the eye.
In the meadows many of the hay bales have now been moved, some still to go, leaving patches of pale grass where they were. Picking through one of these patches were 3 Meadow Pipits, with more of these birds in flight above.
Down near the Lighthouse, a Stonechat was perched in the top of a Blackthorn tree, a small splash of orange amongst the brown and grey.
A gorgeous sight as a Yellowhammer flitted along the edge of the Old Man’s Beard, the flash of yellow, a rusty tan rump, and then as it perched the glorious brilliance of its yellow head – just stunning.
A patch of Marjoram providing a purple splash of colour, while a Hemp Agrimony flower looked to be brighter than usual – I had to do a second look just to check my id.