As I start my early morning patrol, I find myself stopping to bask in the warm sunshine, as was the Gatekeeper on the Hawthorn leaves and a Small Heath of the dry cracked earth!
In the Blackthorn scrub a Blackcap flitted, but a fairly good view of this greyish warbler before it delved deeper amongst the thorns. From branches above came more movement, this time a couple of Common Whitethroats, while some Lesser Whitethroats were spotted near the gully, where Cirl Bunting and Yellowhammer were also seen.
Flashing overhead a Swallow, followed a little later by a few more, while Goldfinches crossed the fields in an up and down flight pattern, tinkling as the moved, the gold wings bars catching the sunlight as they went.
As I looked down at the path, the dry remains of Rabbit and Roe Deer droppings, but then movement and a Common Lizard ran across. Down on my hands and knees, this lizard was very small (about 4cm/ 1¾” including its tail) and had a blueish colour to it – definitely a youngster.
Whilst watching I was distracted by two Yellow Meadow Ants having a tug of war, both pulling in opposite directions – not what you expect from ants!
The meadows are still looking lovely, despite the brown grasses (such as Cocksfoot, Crested Dog’s Tail, Yorkshire Fog and Rye Grass) many wildflowers still in bloom. The tall purple of Greater Knapweed and the slightly different structured Black Knapweed, alongside the whites of Wild Carrot and Field Bindweed and the yellows of Bristly Ox-tongue, Fleabane and Hoary Ragwort.
Along the edges patches of the greyish pink Red Bartsia, and the occasional patch of Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Pale Flax, although most of the Pale Flax has gone to round seeds.
A burst of action as 4 Skylarks took flight, a lovely sound as they took off before they hovered and hung in the air, 2 landing in the Wayfaring Tree and two back into the meadow.