With visibility down to 60 meters at times today was not ideal for birdwatching, however a few species did show well.
The sight of a large bird flying in a looping undulation identified it as a Green Woodpecker, once it landed nearby the long bill and brighter colours could be seen.
Flying up from the large pile of scrub was a Redwing, this bird flying overhead showing its pale underbelly, as it landed on a Hawthorn it showed off the stripe above its eye – but no sign in the dull light of the red underwing.
Another 7 Redwings also landed in the same area, a flapping of wings as they disturbed each other.
A large rambling Wild Clematis was being used by a flock of Goldfinches, the yellow bars on their wings flashing and a tinkling twitter accompanying their every move.
A ‘cheep’ of a Chiffchaff and the loud drilling of a Wren added to the sound on what was otherwise a very quiet morning, most things muffled by the layer of fog.
Sliding across the limestone wall was a Lapidary Snail (Helicigona lapicida) a beautifully marked shell, the brown shining in the wet, the ridge around the edge quite prominent. A ‘Trapdoor’ snail was also making its way across the wall, this species has an upright shell with a hard ‘door’ which it closes to hide away.
The odd splash of colour from the occasional still blooming flower including Small Scabious, and the paler and taller Field Scabious. Bursts of deep purple are from the Greater Knapweed while along the hedgerow the odd pale pink of Herb Robert is in flower atop the reddish stems.
Finally a quick check on the Hereford Cattle which are now grazing the meadows around the Learning Centre, busy cutting where the mower didn’t get to this summer.