The grey skies livened up by the sight of a Kestrel hovering just above me, the wings a constant quivering motion as it kept its head perfectly still while it searched for breakfast – whether for itself or some chicks who knows? The colours difficult to see against the clouds, but the grey head and chestnut back eventually seen.
Below the meadows have a great variety of flowers to enjoy, with various yellows including the Hay Rattle (a semi-parasitic plant so hopefully reducing the vitality of the grasses). The single hairy stems of Rough Hawksbit alongside the newly emerging patches of Lady’s Bedstraw and Meadow Vetchling. Also just starting to show, the small yellow flowers on the tall stems of Agrimony.
Goatsbeard (also known as Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon) is yet to open, the flower spikes tightly enclosed while waiting for sunshine, before turning into the large brown ‘dandelion’ clocks.
Flitting along the path between the hedgerow Blackthorn, Bramble and flowering Dog Rose a gorgeous family of Long-tailed Tits. The chattering as they flew catching the ear, before the small round bodies and extra long tails were spotted. As I stopped and watched the sound of Skylarks was pouring down from above me, for once not flowing to urge to spot the tiny dots against the clouds, instead continued to enjoy the antics of the Long-tailed Tits.
Near the wooden bridge the squeaky seep of a Bullfinch alerted me to this amazing bird as it flew past, its white rump noted, then as it landed amongst the flowers of an elder the pink chest came into view.
The grasses seem to be tall dense this year, stands of Wall Barley, Tall Fescue, Sheep’s Fescue, Yorkshire Fog, Yellow Oat-grass, Soft Brome and Quaking Grass just some of the variety to discover.
Returning to collect the nature spy camera I had put out last night, interested to discover what it picked up overnight – views of Rabbit, Badger and a domestic Cat! (Not what I wanted to spot).