As I looked towards the east a dramatic swathe of light shone on the horizon, the bottoms of the grey cloud gloriously highlighted, a group of Herring Gulls flying through this thin band glowing as I spotted them.
Flying overhead this morning a constant stream of Swallows, their pale undersides and dark tops contrasting as they banked as they flew, always a wonderful sight as these and the Martins collect in huge groups before heading south for the winter..
Bounding out of the copse was a Roe Deer, despite being bright chestnut I would never have seen her if she hadn’t crashed and bounded through the undergrowth dark!
The autumn flowers are now to the fore, with the white spiralling flowers of Autumn Ladies Tresses on the short downs, along with the occasional spike of Autumn Gentian, waiting for the sun to shine before opening to show its purple bloom, whilst the golden – almost deadlooking- Carline Thistle showing well alongside.
Along the banks Red Bartsia, Red Clover, Restharrow and Wild Carrot, accompany Yarrow, White Clover and Agrimony, while Ragwort, Hemp Agrimony and Lesser Knapweed provide more colour amongst the now yellowing grasses.
A super view of a Peregrine Falcon as it glided slowly above my head, the very distinctive chunky shaped body and swept backed wings making for easy identification, as did the typical sight of a Kestrel hovering above the newly baled fields.
The bushes seemed quieter than of late for small migrant birds with just a smattering of Willow Warblers and a Blackcap, as well as a number of Blue Tits and Robins.
Last night a young Badger was scuttling across the path and a Fox trotted down the track.