The air filled with House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows this morning, swooping up and over the hedgerows, the white rumps of the House Martins showing well.
My attention was diverted from the action by a greyish bird perched in amongst the spiky stems of Bramble, as it stood erect the jet black cap could be seen of this Blackcap. Looking further a similar shape of another Blackcap, but this one with a dark ginger cap, both having a bit of blackberry for breakfast.
Splashes of the yellow flowers of Ragwort along the path, the closely compacted flowers very attractive to some insects at this time of year.
The wispy open purple flowers of the Greater Knapweed add more colour as do the low growing pink Restharrow and Red Bartsia.
Out to the downland ridge where 3 Wheatears stood bobbing on the limestone rocks, a dark eye marking, sandy coloured body and white rump making them unmistakable.
The same could not be said for the birds that were ahead of me, into the sun, colours were difficult to distinguish only shape to go on. A few more steps and a Robin popped down from its perch, followed a few moments later by a Redstart, the flashing red tail now easy to see.
A streaky back and very distinct eye stripe found a Sedge Warbler on the greying branch of a Dog Rose. Stonechats were chatting from nearby, the Gorse bushes seemingly covered in them until the rain shower came.
As I sheltered under the prickly cover of a Blackthorn bush, I was joined by a Speckled Wood butterfly which has previously been basking on an Ivy leaf.
A gorgeous rainbow followed this dousing, with one end headed into Field 4 the other behind the clouds.
Overhead 3 species of Wagtail – Grey, Yellow and Pied – on passage. A flash of a Pied Flycatcher as it disappeared into the Apple Tree before moving again to provide a better view.