What a glorious early morning, an exquisite sunrise, a golden orb rising above the horizon providing a lovely golden sheen to the National Nature Reserve. It was almost as if the Sun were trying to outdo the spectacular Moon last night which went from yellow on rising to what looked like an amazing brilliant silvery white.
Perched on the Tamarisk was a male Stonechat, the top of its head a dark slightly streaked brown, but still looking very good. Nearby a Chaffinch hopped between branches of an Elder, the white wing bars showing well.
No seabirds to see except for a Shag and a Herring Gull, but a couple of Meadow Pipits flitted up from the grass by the Mile Markers.
I was however surprised to see a Wheatear on the top of Round Down, the bright white rump obvious as it flew, and as it then perched on the remains of the foundations of the Napoleonic Fort, the pale sandy colour and stripe above it eye became the focus. The Wheatear is usually one of the first migrants to return to Africa in August, so this is late to leave.
A few minutes later emerging from a berry laden Hawthorn bush was a Redwing – one of our winter migrants – so also a surprise to see. But the deep red patch under the wing making this thrush unmistakable!
Munching on the leaves of a Cleavers plant was a Bloody-nosed Beetle, its shiny black body with a purple tinge underneath.
Basking on the ground a Speckled Wood, pale spots on the brown wings, while in flight was a Red Admiral.
The song of a Robin, not being sung very forcibly, but still wafting through the air, appropriately the Robin was perched on the long prickle covered stem of a Dog Rose, which had a large Robin’s Pin-Cushion gall growing on it.
The meadows are wet underfoot, and the grass is covered in water droplets, and here the Hereford Herd of cattle are to be found, we are having issues with the water supply so apologise for the constant moving them around.