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What a super morning, bright sunshine and a fresh westerly breeze, as I began my patrol a Chaffinch perched on the branch of a Field Maple, the leaves of which have turned brown and partly shrivelled.
Above me a small group of Sand Martins zipped, whilst a little later a couple of Swallows swooped over as well.
From somewhere in amongst the rambling scrub of Old Man’s Beard (the pale yellow flowers scattered across the piles of rope stems) and Blackthorn (whose sloe berries starting to ripen already), came a ‘chit-chit’ call. As I peered through my binoculars to discover this bird, I was greeted with some really good views of a couple of Willow Warblers, whose yellow-green colouration was catching the sunshine.
Still looking and a Sedge Warbler popped into view, the stripy markings and white eyestripe fairly distinctive, while a Chiffchaff also popped up from amongst the fronds of the Bracken.
A movement above me, and a bird of prey was floating overhead. The wide wings and faintly striped chest pointed identification to Sparrowhawk (although I would have liked to have been able to turn it into a Hobby!). I was able to enjoy watching this bird for some time before it disappeared over the ridge.
On the ground a smattering of Autumn Ladies Tresses, this grey-green stemmed orchid with delicate spiralling white flowers is our last of the year. Restharrow, Dwarf Thistle, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Eyebright also spotted providing a variety of dots of colour, while the delicate flowers of Fairy Flax also still in bloom.
As I was enjoying a second breakfast of Blackberries, a sudden flash of movement from amongst the Brambles caught my attention. What looked like a slightly orangish front facing me, the bird popped down to the ground and back to its perch, still facing me, then another flit and the brilliant bright red tail was showing – a gorgeous Redstart – feeding up on its travels south. What a stunner.
Returning to the centre, a couple of Linnets twittered, Goldfinches tinkled and some Long-tailed Tits dangles amongst the Hawthorn branches.