Swooping overhead a few Swallows, their chattering to be heard as they disappeared from view, the red feathers visible only on a few of these birds.
A little later Sand Martins flew by along with more Swallows and a couple of Swifts.
I was privileged to watch the stalking activities of a young Fox, whose bright tan-orange fur often completely disappeared in with the dead grass stems as it moved.
From nearby came a strange ‘almost ‘mewing’ sound, which was traced to a juvenile Pheasant which was standing on the top of a Yellow Ant Hill. This bird’s feather colouration perfect for the backdrop of long dead grasses and bare earth, so well hidden although in plain site! As the Fox stalked through the meadow, a second Pheasant took flight with a loud flapping of wings, the Fox jumped, missed by a long way and then continued its stalk – half-heartedly – with the second bird still mewing, finally taking off at which point the Fox gave up, picked up a previously caught mouse and trotted off. Such a treat to watch this sort of activity.
Lots of butterflies to discover including Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper and Lulworth Skippers. Most of the ‘browns’ still out with Grayling my pick, but also Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and the last of the Marbled Whites. Common Blue, Small Blue and a single Adonis Blue plus a Small Copper added to the list.
The ‘autumn’ migration now trickling through with a few Wheatears spotted, a Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler and a Garden Warbler as well as a few Siskins and a Yellow Wagtail.
Out amongst the short grasses beware of the ’Picnic Thistle’ (also called Dwarf Thistle), before you sit down, as these low growing thistles are most prickly! Burnet Saxifrage, Restharrow, Small Scabious and Lady’s Bedstraw all in bloom, whilst a Downy Shieldbug was spotted on its food plant Bastard Toadflax.
Tonight, look out for shooting stars travelling across the sky as it is the height of the Persied meteors showers.