The chatting calls of a family of Stonechats enjoyed as I strolled slowly past the thick patch of Blackthorn scrub, then a couple emerged, the youngster flecked and mostly brown, while the adult showed off tis bright orange chest and black head, plus the white flashes on its collar and wing.
Heading on towards the shade of the copse, Chiffchaffs were hopping between the branches of the huge Macrocarpa tree, the dark legs evident as was the stripe across its eyebrow.
As I went to do a quick check on the joints on the newly laid water pipe, a couple of Common Whitethroats popped up from the grass followed by some Goldfinches, whose gold wings were catching the sunlight.
Some wonderful plants to admire including Tufted Vetch (purple and rambling), Agrimony (yellow spikes of flowers) Black Knapweed and Greater Knapweed (both deep purple), Field Scabious (fairly tall and lilac).
Around these the grasses such as Quaking Grass, Crested Dog’s Tail, Meadow Barley and Timothy are going quickly to seed.
Butterflies galore, especially Gatekeepers, but also Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites and Lulworth Skippers, plus a few Speckled Wood, Common Blue and Small Heath, and a gorgeous Dark-green Fritillary wafting is way above the grasses.
Arriving at an area of thin turf and downland flowers including Wild Thyme, Eyebright, Squinancywort and Centaury, I also spotted Stars-in-the-Grass – a tiny white five petaled flower. On close inspection, on my hands and knees, I managed to find a Down Shieldbug on the mat of stems, a lovely little dark blue bug, no sign though today of the tiny red nymphs that live on this plant.
All through my search, a Skylark had been singing from above me, a wonderful sound, to be interrupted by the squeak of a Bullfinch – enabling my to look upwards to enjoy the amazing bright pink of the male Bullfinch, his mate following just behind.
A few more flowers to enjoy such as Wild Carrot, Wild Parsnip and Marjoram.