Staring in the Bird Hide, I spot a Robin, Dunnock and a female House Sparrow close by to the bird feeder. Further into the scrub behind I spot a Chaffinch, Great Tits and Blue Tits. As well as a Blackbird flying off.
Walking onward on an overcast but calm morning I walk past Brambles, Blackthorn and Hawthorn, and a Field Maple before reaching Boy’s Brigade Field. Here Robins and Chaffinches are spotted behind Old-mans Beard, Jackdaws are seen feeding on the ground in the middle of the field, a Magpie is heard calling behind me, while Goldfinches are seen above in numbers.
Walking into Large Copse, a disturbing noise is being made from a Grey Squirrel up in a Black Pine tree, I couldn’t work out why, but I think it was trying to ward off another Grey Squirrel. Other trees prominent within the copse are Sycamore, Elm, and Holm Oak, as well as Wild Privet in the understory layer.
Into Taskers, sheep are seen grazing away in one of our neighbours’ fields, Common Fleabane is starting to go over, plenty of haws – the small red fruit – on Hawthorn is plentiful, as well as the sloes on the Blackthorn.
In Saxon, a Chiffchaff is heard calling as I head towards the Quar where I can still spot some array of wildflowers. Spotted although often small in comparison to the high season in June: Birds-foot Trefoil, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Small Scabious, Common Daisies, Wild Carrot, Teasel, Ox-eye Daisies, Wild Thyme, Ribwort Plantain, Restharrow, and Brown Knapweed. Many of these flowers likely in its final bloom before the Autumn really kicks in.
Heading back to the office, Meadow Pipet, Long-tailed Tits, Raven and a Greenfinch were all seen or heard.