As we near the end of August there is definitely a feel and look of autumn around the National Nature Reserve as the bright red coloured berries of Hawthorn contrast with the brown leaves and yellowish grasses.
A good morning for seeing birds today, with my highlight being a superb view of a Spotted Flycatcher as it perched on the top of a twig of an Oak tree, one of the few old English Oaks we have. The spotted flecks on the breast of the Flycatcher contrasting with the pale grey front, the side on view showed the delicate pale lemon stripes down the wing edge.
As I stood and watched the antics of some male and female Blackcaps, their black and chestnut caps popping up between the branches, a couple of Common Whitethroats appeared in the same view alongside group of 3 Blue Tits, both adult and youngsters.
Out of the corner of my eye a glimpse of a Fox was caught as it trotted up the path towards my, a glorious sight, tail in line with its body with a white tip.
As I turned to continue a female Roe Deer was standing watching me, the bright tan coat showing against the brown scrub line, the usual camouflage not working.
In the gully more birds included a family of Stonechats, an interesting variety of markings to admire, while young Great Tits popped up and down alongside Common Whitethroats, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler.
Lots of bright yellow Willow Warblers and a few Chiffchaffs also now present. Picking delicately from a rope of Black Bryony a Blackbird removed and swallowed a bright red berry. A Tree Pipit took flight from the Blackthorn patch, a short call as it moved.
Slowly walking across the path was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle while an Emperor Dragonfly was holding onto the upright stem of Hemp Agrimony.
Autumn Ladies Tresses, Carline Thistle, Common Toadflax and Sea Aster providing a few flowers to find as are Yarrow, Agrimony and Restharrow.