Barely a breath of wind to accompany my early patrol, down to the cliffs where small groups of Chiffchaffs and their close relatives the Willow Warbler were easy to see on the Tamarisk. The darker legs of the Chiffchaff the main distinguishing feature, although not often easy to see as they kept flitting up and down and disappearing behind the twigs, hiding the legs as they did so!
At sea a single Shag passed by and a Great Black-backed Gull, no sign of the 4 Fulmars which were circling around yesterday. Overhead a couple of Tree Pipits called and Rock Pipits moved along the rock face, their speckled grey bodies well camouflaged.
Patches of the pale lilac flowers of Sea Aster can still be spotted atop their waxy leaves. Many of the dark green leaves of Golden Samphire are still topped by circles of deep yellow flowers, while many have gone over.
Near the lighthouse the white bobbing rump of a Wheatear spotted as it flew low above the short turf, once landed the sandy coloured chest and dark mask on its face could be seen.
The ‘chatting’ of Stonechats was heard as they perched on the fence wire, bobbing up and down. The speckled backs of the youngsters contrasting with the sleek dark backs of the adult.
Reports of a Wryneck calling from near the centre, as well as Blackcaps from the bird ringing study.
Across the downland the grey-green stems of the Autumn Lady’s Tresses can be spotted often looking at first glance like a piece of grass or sedge, a close inspection is recommended as you can then see the delicate spirals of white flowers climbing the stalk.
While admiring those flowers, I also spotted a few remaining flowers of Bastard Toadflax, Eyebright, Squinancywort and Bird’s-foot Trefoil.
Clambering across the grass was a Bloody-nosed Beetle and further on a Dor Beetle, both a lovely shade of violet and blue after initially looking black.
The sounds of grasshoppers chirping in the long grass, a quick look allowed me to identify Field, Common Green and Meadow Grasshoppers.