As I walked across the field, two Roe Deer were standing looking directly at me, their coats now a darker brown than the rusty colour of summer. As they watched me, watching them just their ears moved until they both bounded off and disappeared into the scrubby hedgerow.
Between rain showers the movement of flocks of small birds was a feature of today’s walk, with Goldfinches the most obvious because of their habit of landing together in the leafless branches of the Hawthorns or on the erect Teasel stems and remains of Woolly Thistle, therefore enabling me to have a good look. When the sun’s rays hit them the gold wing stripes were a delight to see.
Another bird showing itself was a male Bullfinch, despite the pink chest I was drawn to it by the squeaky whistle of a call, which when heard allowed me to find the bird amongst the large patches of Blackthorn, Old Man’s Beard and Bramble.
The sky was suddenly alive with Wood Pigeons as a flock of 180 or more appeared, these likely to be their annual migration.
While looking upward a Peregrine Falcon caught my attention, the bulky body and short pointed wings quite different form every other bird seen. As it wafted overhead it was just a silhouette but the stick winged flap quite different to the Jackdaws which were also in the vicinity.
The strong westerly wind making the sea churn and bubble, drawing me to the coast path to stand and admire this amazing powerful natural activity.
From the Tamarisk behind me came the calling of Blue Tits and Great Tits as they moved amongst the fronds of this exotic plant. As I watched their antics a Goldcrest also appeared in the flock along with a Chiffchaff.
Lower down a Wren buzzed between stems and a Dunnock popped its grey head out for a moment.