A real autumnal feel to the early morning as the fresh westerly wind was blowing across the Park, bringing with it a slight dampness of drizzle.
Flashing across the sky hundreds of Swallows, swooping up and down seeming like they were enjoying the blustery conditions.
The smaller birds were less keen it seemed as they were either being blown sideways or sheltering deep within the scrub. The tinkling sound of Goldfinches made me focus my binoculars on the flock which was being swept left and right by the wind – also making it very difficult to get a good view, however the white and gold flashes on the wings spottable.
A squeak from within the mass of blackberry covered Bramble brought the Bullfinch to me notice, the flash of pink amongst the leaves for the male and the duller buff of a nearby female.
Skulking amongst the berry laden Elder was a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap, the chestnut brown cap easy to see as it moved, but the bird itself surprisingly grey.
The hedgerows are now a bounty of fruit including the purple Sloes weighing down the Blackthorn bushes and the brilliant splodges of pink showing of the Spindle, this appearing like flowers from amongst the leaves.
The elegant stems of the Dogwood also now producing small black berries as well as some still having their delicate off-white flowers.
The meadows are about to be cut for hay – of the weather improves – but some are still showing a wealth of flowers including Fleabane whose yellow flower is perched on the top of almost furry greyish leaves. Nearby the purple straggly flowers of Greater Knapweed and the pale lilac of Field Scabious as well as the bright yellow Ragwort (where we haven’t pulled it) and Hawkbit.
A Devils Coach Horse beetle wandered across the grassy path, raising its tail in a vaguely aggressive manner.
Yesterday during the Dry-stone walling volunteer morning a large Toad and a Slowworm were discovered in amongst the tumbledown wall.