Off out into the meadows to start today, where Meadow Browns are still abundant, taking flight from amongst the grasses, a flutter of brown. There is quite a variation in colours and markings on these, the butterflies including a variation of dark to pale brown with orange or buff colours. More consistent the pale orange and grey of the Small Heath, often to be spotted along the edges of the paths.
Out on the downs the brilliant turquoise blue of the Adonis Blue spotted, the sun catching the wings as it warmed while basking on the yellow flower of a Fleabane. A wonderful sight.
Buzzing past was an Emperor Dragonfly, the long blue and green body and head making up our largest dragonfly (odonata).
The croak of a Raven piercing the air as it sat on the top of the metal mile marker, while the sound of smaller birds could be heard from all around.
Searching about me, I had a good view of a Cirl Bunting standing on the top of a Blackthorn twig, soon followed by a couple of Stonechats – chatting to each other.
A flash of red as a bird went for cover in amongst the Old Man’s Beard, a bit of patience and a Redstart then emerged, twitching its red tail as it perched – the male being one of my favourite birds, so always great to see.
A flight of Swallows was zooming and swooping eastwards, along with a few Sand Martins, as I admired these, going west (in the opposite direction) were three Cormorants, such a dramatic difference on size, style and technique!
As I wandered, considering the next movement of the cattle – there is not much grass on the slopes, I spotted what looked like an unusual looking Knapweed, on closer inspection it was a Saw-wort, a flower we have very few plants of, perhaps overlooked due to its pinky/purple flowers having a resemblance to the commoner Black Knapweeds which are easily found!
Flying ahead, a Wheatear, easily recognisable from behind because of its flashy white rump