A gorgeous morning, with a little bit of wind providing a cooling breeze. Along the Hawthorn and Blackthorn hedge, both laden with berries were butterflies galore, Painted Ladies rising from the entire length, at least 35 of the migrants noted, many looking old and battered and pale but one or two brighter and more pristine. Small Whites the other butterfly in numbers, again taking flight from many of the bushes, with a few Large Whites to provide a species comparison.
A superb view of a Chalkhill Blue as it glided across above the banks, landing for a short while on the purple flowers of a Black Knapweed. Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper the other butterflies spotted during my patrol.
Along the cliffs I was surprised to see a Fulmar swooping and circling around the cliffs, the first for a couple of weeks, they would usually only be here in August if they had a fledged chick.
Gliding past at sea was a Gannet, its wings bent, just where the black tips began, making it look to be flying in a strange manner, a quick swoop down and it straightened its wings returning to its expected flying shape.
Erupting from the top branches of an Ash Tree was a flock of Goldfinches, a variety of plumages but all showing the characteristic yellow wing flashes, and some the bright red face markings. Hidden in the bushes was a Great Tit, its black stripe showing against its yellow chest, the chittering of Blue Tits in the same area as was a Robin and a Wren.
Up near the Learning Centre a number of small migrants to be found included Blackcaps, Common Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and a Garden Warbler.
Swooping along between the hedges was a Swallow, a super view as the sun reflected on its blue plumage and its red chin could be seen as it passed over my head. Higher in the sky a Sparrowhawk passed by, the typical ‘flap-flap-glide’ motion as it travelled.
Along the Timeline the pinky-red Fuschias are flowering and another Clathrus Ruber fungi is preparing to explode into a stinking red cage.
An Emperor Dragonfly and a Red Darter both in flight along with numerous flies, hoverflies and bees.