Fluffy pink and orange clouds scattered across the clear blue sky was the backdrop to the early part of my walk this morning. A quite glorious wander across the national Nature Reserve was accompanied by the almost constant twitter and tinkle of small migrants passing overhead.
The birds above included Linnets, Goldfinches, Redpoll and Siskin, as well as Chaffinches and some Meadow Pipits, plus other species I was unable to identify by their call or their markings. Against the sun and the blue background I found it impossible to see any identifying features.
As I checked on a water trough, only a slight leak so turned off, I discovered a Sparrowhawk perched on a fallen blackthorn branch, in its talons was a bird, only just captured. The hawk was steadily plucking feathers depositing them across the ground in a grey carpet. Having watch the bird for a short while it then noticed me and took off taking its breakfast with it, clutched tight in its yellow feet.
Many of the hedgerow leaves have now turned an autumnal brown, yellow or orange, making a gorgeous colour strip. Some of the best colours are from the Birch, Horse Chestnut, Hazel and Beech, along with Elm and Sycamore. However the Blackthorn and Hawthorn are mostly still covered in green leaves.
The loud yaffle of a Green Woodpecker alerted me to the undulating flight of this large resident, the yellow rump highlighted by the sun’s rays as it travelled, eventually landing on the trunk of an Ash tree.
Some large groups of Wood Pigeons in flight, at least 80 counted, the numbers will rise over the next few weeks.
The high pitched calling of Goldcrests was piercing the air in the Copse, these tiny birds moving through the Black Pine canopy, every now and then flashes of gold from their head caught my eye.
Crashing through the same canopy were 2 Grey Squirrels, their noisy progress dropping bits of twig onto the ground.
While checking the public toilets a sheltering Feathered Brindle moth was spotted.