A quite amazing sunset last night across the Country Park, with stripes and pinks, blues and greys just stunning.
This morning saw the flittering of birds with a small stream of Swallows swooping and sweeping through the skies, while in amongst were a smattering of Sand Martins.
The meadows are waiting for their summer cut, but across them are a variety of flowers still to enjoy, which include the bright yellow Fleabane whose petals are together in a tight circle, alongside Ragwort and Rough Hawkbit. The flowers of Eyebright, Red Clover, Black Medic, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Field Bindweed are generally to be found lower amongst the grasses alongside Red Bartsia while Agrimony spikes stand tall, many now covered in their velcro tipped seeds.
As I watched a wonderful Redstart perched on the end of a berry laden Elder more small birds came into view which included both the black and the brown capped versions of the Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroats and some Willow Warblers.
A flash of yellow and a flock of Goldfinches landed on the now swaying heads of Knapweed and Creeping Thistle, nearby the plumper looking Greenfinches fed upon some Hawthorn berries.
A family or more of Stonechats caught my attention due to their constant movement and chatting, their marking very varied including speckled youngsters, worn adults and a black headed male.
Above the rough grassland a Kestrel hovered, dipping occasionally as it went in for capture, but despite watching it for some time I never saw it catch its breakfast – hopefully it will.
A few Meadow Browns and Small Heaths still around the reserve, with some Silver-Y moths buzzing around the Buddleia flowers.
A Dark Bush-cricket and a much more delicate looking Oak Bush-cricket rescued from the public toilet, while a Speckled Bush-cricket and a Long-winged Conehead were spotted near the copse.