A cloudy start to the morning patrol (requiring a jumper!), with in amongst the scrub of Blackthorn, Bramble, Hawthorn and Old Man’s Beard a variety of birdlife. This included families of Common Whitethroat flitting around, their white throats plain to see while the occasional Lesser Whitethroat was also in evidence. Once again the most numerous warbler was the Willow Warbler with a scattering of these greeny-yellow birds in the bushes, the pale legs making the differences between these and the Chiffchaff even more obvious.
Along the downland slopes the ‘chatting’ of Stonechats could be heard, on a sweep with the binoculars 4 were discovered on and in the Gorse bushes, white collars and wing flashes noticeable rather than any orange chest.
By Tilly Whim Rock Pipits were flitting with the golden flowers and dark green succulent leaves of Golden Samphire providing a blast of colour in this area.
A short seawatch produced just 4 Manx Shearwater and 1 Common Scoter plus numerous Gannets. The variety of ages of these huge seabirds can be spotted through the different wings markings which range from all brown, through brown and white to white and brown to the full superb white with black tips of the adult.
Hovering above was a Kestrel, always a wonderful example of flying skill as was that of a flight of Swallows as they swooped along the narrow drove.
A Fox was basking in the sun, its chestnut colouring showing up surprisingly well as it lay amongst the long grass.
Low to the ground Autumn Gentian, Eyebright, Restharrow, Fairy Flax, Dwarf Thistle and Carline Thistle, while a few patches of the gorgeous Small Scabious are still in full bloom.
Few butterflies so far today, but Gatekeeper, Small Skipper and Red Admiral put in an appearance. Moths included Iron Prominent, Poplar Hawk-moth, Common Swift and Brimstone.