A warm and sticky early patrol with barely a breath of wind, my choice of route across the downs provided an interesting variety of species including perched on the Dry-stone Walling Centre a Wheatear, (one of two seen). This stunning buff bird with eye markings and white rump, has stopped here before travelling onward to Africa.
Amongst the Blackthorn blushes, which are now becoming laden with unripe sloes, were Common Whitethroats, 15 counted in one small patch. Their pale throats making them quite easy to identify as they flitted through the leaves.
The brighter yellow birds were Willow Warblers, a group of 5 of which were hopping in the branches of Wild Parsnip. The yellow flowered parsnip has now mostly gone to seed providing a good food source for many of our passing warblers.
Fluttering in the long grass were Meadow Browns and Small Heath, while nearer the coast a Lulworth Skipper was disturbed as I brushed the Tor Grass with my leg.
Overhead the twittering of Swallows and Martins caught the ear, well over a hundred spotted as I looked up, included amongst them were 2 Swifts – late August is relatively late for this summer visitor to still be here.
Flitting from the pale-yellow flowered Old Man’s Beard was a Redstart, the bright red tail flashing as it flew, once landed the black colour of the male was impressive to see.
The farming continues, with the Cattle grazing on the downs and meadows being cut for hay, the volunteer work party are out this morning rebuilding the dry-stone walls on the boundary, and Ragwort is being pulled from the hay meadows.
Bounding along the path were 2 Rabbits, just their white bob tails showing as they bounced away.
Yarrow, Red Bartsia, Knapweed, Wild Carrot and Bristley Ox-Tongue some of the most common flowers blooming now.