Another gorgeous morning, with a strong northerly wind, encouraged me to take a walk through the woodland, where the sun was shining through the bright green leaves providing a dappled light effect. Amongst them the Blue Tits were picking off caterpillars, Great Tits were flitting through and Long-tailed Tits were hanging. Some of the Hazels, Sycamores and Field Maples are laden with seed pods.
A quick glimpse of a Sparrowhawk as it flashed across the landslip and a bright spot of pink as a Bullfinch perched in the flowers of a Wayfaring Tree.
The meadows are awash with colour at the moment, the deep yellows of Bulbous Buttercups and Meadow Buttercups catching the sunlight. The Hay Rattle has suddenly exploded and can be seen all across the fields while on closer inspection through the binoculars the sunshine was highlighting the hairs on the Rough Hawksbit and Ox-Eye Daises.
Pale Flax, Broomrape, Sainfoin and Red Clover added to the interest while Quaking Grass, Crested Dog’s Tail, Yorkshire Fog, and Sweet Vernal Grass are providing more interest.
The fluty sound of a Skylark as it was singing from way above, the song getting lost in the strong winds. Also in the sky was a Buzzard, this large bird hanging against the northerly wind, adjusting its wings to maintain its position as it searched for some breakfast.
In the sheltered gully some butterflies are out including the brilliant vibrant blue Adonis Blue, the more lilac Common Blue, and the tiny mostly brown Small Blue. Orange Tip, Large White, Red Admiral and 3 species of Skipper – Large, Small and Dingy also spotted.
In one of the hollows on the downs, perched on a grass stem was the distinctive Four-Spotted Chaser Dragonfly, this beautifully marked creature has yellow underside and black tipped abdomen.