With the wind blowing across from the north, I went down to the coast where Gannets were gliding low across the grey water, the long white wings flashing as they tipped.
On the downs scuttling across the turf were Wheatears, (at least 10 seen) the white rump visible when they fluttered their wings and the rest of the markings on their bodies - grey, black and sand striking lines.
The Gorse flickering as Stonechats landed, a variety of males, females and juveniles allowing a good view of the wide variation in plumage to be seen at this time of year.
As I watched a much paler bird landed, which was a Whinchat, its wide pale yellow eye-stripe showing superbly as it perched on the uppermost twig of a sloe covered Blackthorn bush.
For me though the highlight was a Redstart, a flash of a red tail as it disappeared into the large clump of Wild Clematis, a little patience and this male moved so I could have a great view of it, the once bright red chest and grey head now paler but still distinctive. A second Redstart spotted a little later, this a generally buff colour but again with the stunning red tail.
Other birds spotted included a Common Whitethroat, a flock of Linnets, Rock Pipits and some Chiffchaffs as well as a Green Woodpecker and a Kestrel. Last night Swifts were flying low prior to leaving on their long journey south.
Whilst peering down to look for the strange almost grey spikes of Autumn Ladies Tresses (which were discovered) a huge hairy caterpillar, at least 3inches long, glided across the short grassland, the brown body with a fringe of grey was a Fox Moth.
In the dark of yesterday evening a bright green glow shone from amongst the nettle patch, a magnificent female Glow-worm, it is quite late in the season for these gems to still be glowing, whether that is a good sign nor not I am not sure!