A glorious morning for an early patrol as the sun was beginning to peep through the cloud which was hugging the horizon, a golden orange glow across the National Nature Reserve as I started out.
The meadows my starting point where a flock of Goldfinches alighted amongst the tufts of long Tor Grass, Tall Fescue and the Bristley Ox-tongue and Woolly Thistle remains. The flashing yellow wings bars drawing attention while closer inspection was required for their red caps.
Perched on the top of the next clump of Blackthorn was a Stonechat, this one with very little neck collar compared with the second one which was sat nearby. The buff orange chests of these two showing as they turned towards the sun.
In the same area a Robin was singing loudly, this bird the main songster at present, but also one which makes a number of ‘clicks’, which are more confusing alongside all the other migrants.
Curled up on the downland slopes, looking at first (and second) glance like a small lump of dark scrub was Roe Deer, as he moved his head to watch me pass by his antlers could be seen, the coat at this time of year a dark brown colour.
Across the meadows the odd yellow dandelion flowerhead turns out to be Rough Hawkbit, while some white umbellifer head of Wild Carrot are also blooming alongside the unrelated Yarrow and patches of two-tone yellow Common Toadflax and the purple Greater Knapweed.
Last night was a little chilly for moth trapping, but we still captured Sectaceous Hebrew Character, Large Yellow Underwing, Feathered Brindle and Lunar Underwing.