A glorious start to morning, brilliant sunshine and blue skies. Underfoot however it was like walking on a stream, water everywhere after another 13.2mm (1/2“) of rain overnight.
The highlight of the walk was my first singing Skylark. This bird fluttering and hanging in the air, above Eight Acres (one of the wildflower meadows), was producing a superb song, reels and reels – quite a few moments spent watching it as it performed.
The sound of the Hereford Cattle mooing from field 3, reminded me to go that way and see them. Despite lots of very muddy feet, ankles and foreheads they were looking well, the sunlight catching the ginger fur.
The “winterbourne” was running, producing small waterfalls as it flowed under the ‘trip-trap’ bridge as it has been called, the stream heading off down the gully and out by Tilly Whim.
From the Elder bush came the calling of a Great Tit, the constant ‘see-saw’ or ‘teacher-teacher’ being produced by this yellow and black bird.
A flock of Goldfinches tinkled across the blue sky, landing in the top twigs of a Blackthorn, like an array of decorations – red, yellow, white, and black.
Looking seaward the large white shape of a Gannet was showing up, gliding fairly low to the water, another one then spotted following in its wake.
Two Blue Tits fluttering around each other, a game of chase being performed, before one headed off leaving the Hawthorn to the other.
Over the downland a Kestrel was hovering, the head remaining perfectly still while the body quivered. With no wind or rain, I imagine it must be easier for these birds to hunt!
Across the slope a Field Blewitt was poking its brown slimy flat head above the grass.