An amazing early morning if you are interested in weather and sky! With the pale pink sky turning a delicate blue I began may patrol accompanied by hordes of Swallows and House Martins all swooping fairly low across the meadows, the sound of their chattering and calling piercing the air.
A flock of Meadow Pipits rose from the newly cut grass, to be outlined by what was now a very dark grey cloud background, the effects of the light making the bright red haw berries and green leaves of the Hawthorn stand out so vividly.
A few seconds later and the brightness disappeared as the sky poured forth a torrent of large raindrops, plus a bit of hail!
As I dripped my way around the rest of the meadows and downland a flock of Goldfinches appeared, perched on the tops of a rambling Old Man’s Beard, then fluttering to land on what appeared to be nothing, as if standing in mid-air, upon using the binoculars the tiny twigs and stems of Blackthorn and Wild Carrot and Creeping Thistle could be seen beneath their feet.
A wonderful churning blue sea, covered in white crests, skimming across the spectacularly illuminated white wings of a Gannet, with a little closer in Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Moving past was the huge shape of one of the cruise ships, heading westwards, perhaps off for a change of scene from Bournemouth.
A couple of Bullfinches in amongst the branches of the Wild Apple tree, the pink chest and white rump visible at times, whilst Stonechats were to be spotted on the tops of the Gorse bushes, the sound of their chatting mixing with the squeaky whistles of the Bullfinches.
A few more bird species travelling overhead including Redpoll, Skylark and Siskin, whilst in the woodland our tiniest birds the Goldcrest and a Firecrest were both spotted.
A few more flowers still in bloom with Yarrow producing white patches, Ragwort yellow and splashes of Red Bartsia a deep dirty pink.
As the Hereford Cattle are now grazing the aftermaths in the meadows please make sure you shut the gates, they are currently in both Ox-Eye and Centenary Meadows – or should be!