A wonderful autumnal morning with sunshine rising slowly above the horizon producing a mass of oranges and red across first the sky and then the land. Skimming low across the water and though one of these shafts of light was a Shag followed soon after by a backlit Gannet – both glorious.
The main action was the overhead movement of small birds, which included flocks and flocks of Goldfinches, the tinkling sounds catching the ear and on looking up the flashes of white and gold could be seen, over 1000 counted in total, the largest count so far this year.
Other large flocks turned out to be Meadow Pipits, and following on behind a scattering of Pied Wagtails. Other flocks were passing over included the first 2 Bramblings of the autumn, plus Redpoll, Siskin, Chaffinch, Linnets.
Out across the meadows, which were covered in a damp dew, amongst the newly growing grass were some Skylarks, these small brown birds showing the white markings and occasionally a slight crest was visible.
As I looked closely at a patch of scrub it suddenly became alive as a Stonechat popped its head above the thorns, another one emerged on a second twig, across the Park this morning 45 Stonechats were recorded.
In amongst the berry covered Hawthorn were 3 Ring Ouzels, the faded white neck collar still visible against their dark brown chests.
Other birds in amongst the scrub were Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and in the woods a Firecrest.
The sunny weather keeping the butterflies out so Red Admirals basking on the Ivy leaves, a Painted Lady on one of the few remaining Yarrow flowers, while on a rock was a Small Copper and Common Blue and Speckled Wood also spotted.