In the air the smell of smoke – the wind blowing from the East, so likely to be from the fire on the New Forest. The downland, grassland and meadows are also so dry here so please remain vigilant.
The dry ground is full of cracks, the earth shrinking leaving foot sizes gaps – so as well as looking at the view, do remember to look down!
Rising from the patch of rough grassland a flock of Goldfinches, their golden wings flashing in the light. While later, another flock of the finches, caught my eye, this time the wider bands of yellow tinged with green as these Greenfinches landed on the tops of the twigs of the Elder bush.
On another Hawthorn, two sleek black birds stopped me in my tracks, different to the usual birds I expect to see, however as I studied, one turned and it was a Swallow, showing off its long tail, it then took flight in a characteristic flutter.
Checking the cattle meant a walk to the far west of the Country Park, a few flowers still blooming including the purple Black Knapweed, and pale blue Field Scabious, the white flowers of Burnet Saxifrage, Wild Carrot and Yarrow as well as the yellows of Ragwort and Bristley Ox-tongue.
Added to this the golden brown flower of Carline Thistle, which looks at a glance, dried and fairly dead when it is in its full pomp, however close inspection yields more life and delicate colours!
Through the window I am watching a Chiffchaff hop through the Escallonia bush, before removing a spider from a web with a deft in and out movement. It then perched, wiped the cobweb off its beak before eating the spider.
Last night we had a fantastic evening for the Persied meteor shower. The clear skies allowing the glorious stars to be seen, while gazing upwards the whizzing of meteors across the sky could be seen by the blazing trail left behind. – lots of oohs and aars to be heard!