An earlier start this morning and I was rewarded with some fantastic views of a couple of Sedge Warblers moving around the Elder bush. The wide yellowish stripe above the eye contrasting with the darker crown, alongside the streaky back making for relatively easy identification – not something that is often said about warblers!
Following this, a good few Common Whitethroats, which differed from the Lesser Whitethroat I also spotted amongst the Blackthorn bush.
As I used the great vantage point, perched on the top of a stone stile, a flash of red, initially Bullfinch I thought, but then a better glimpse and this was a Redstart – my first of the ‘autumn’ and being a male still quite brightly coloured and stunning. A few moments later a male Bullfinch also popped up just to reiterate the obvious differences – and there are many!
Around the meadows the Skylarks are still active, fluttering wonderfully above the dry grasses, as I watched, one was spotted carrying food, so a good sign chicks are still in the vicinity.
The pale purple of Marjoram attracting a variety of bee and fly species, as are the deeper purple Greater and Black Knapweeds, with Red-tailed Bumblebee possibly the most numerous. Along some field edges is Red Bartsia, slightly greyish pink and growing one-sided on the stem.
Adding more colour are the yellow Ragwort and Bristley Ox-tongue, as well as white Wild Carrot and Yarrow. While low to the ground still patches of Wild Thyme and Restharrow to be spotted amongst the dried grasses and other flowers.
As I checked the electric fence was still working, keeping the cattle off one of the footpaths, a flash of yellow as a male Yellowhammer took flight, followed by a greyer youngster, great to see they have produced chicks again this year.
Back to the moth trap – to discover Silver Striped Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth, Lesser Broad-boarded Yellow Underwing and the amazing Bufftip.
More bird reports - Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, Pied and Yellow Wagtails