Down through the woodlands where the leaves of the Horse Chestnut are turning to chestnut brown and yellow, while admiring them, a Treecreeper moved slowly up the trunk, its white chest flashing as it climbed. From behind the speckled markings making it very difficult to see.
From the tops of the nearby Elms came some high-pitched calling, the tiny greenish Goldcrests flitting backward and forwards between the twigs, extremely awkward to get a good view of this our smallest bird.
As I stood at viewpoint, flashing below me was a Sparrowhawk, its dark brown body disappearing at speed into the jungle of trees and scrub on the landslip.
This my first of three birds of prey spotted today, the others being an amazing Kestrel hovering above the grassland, its head remaining perfectly still as its wings and tail quivered.
The other being a Peregrine Falcon which was perched on an outcrop of the cliff, the wind ruffling its feathers making it look much fluffier and larger than usual.
At sea, as I scanned with my binoculars were a scattering of Gannets, these magnificent seabird gliding low over the water, then swooping higher before dropping again. Most were gleaming white adults but travelling alongside a few brown speckled juveniles. Watching these birds is always a pleasure for me.
Overhead a passage of small migrants including groups of Meadow Pipits and a few Pied Wagtails, plus Goldfinches and Linnets. Also once again many Swallows swooping across as they prepare for their long trip to Africa.
Even though we are now in October some insects are still about including Red Admiral and Speckled Wood butterflies, Buff-tailed Bumble Bees and a variety of flies including the Bluebottles!
The occasional sprig of Greater Knapweed, Small Scabious and Yarrow accompany Wild Carrot, Red Bartsia and Bristley Ox-tongue as our late flowerers.
Last night the calling of a Tawny Owl and the flitting of Pipistrelle Bats noted.