What a glorious morning, a slight chill in the air and a watery sun rising above the horizon. A golden glow to the downland and farmland where Stonechats where the most obvious avian feature, over 20 were noted scattered around the tops of the various scrubby bushes. A wide variety of colours showing they ranged from black headed adult males in breeding plumage to females and juveniles with slight reddish breasts and a selection of speckles on brown, white and black.
No sign this morning of yesterday’s Wryneck, not surprising as it very elusive (and my bogey bird). These amazing greyish, brown woodpecker pass through on migration, hopefully I’ll get another chance to see on this year.
Gliding low above the short turf was a Kestrel, while on the cliffs a Peregrine Falcon was perched, head turned seaward, the sun catching its speckled chest. Really good views of two Sparrowhawks as they chased a Green Woodpecker around the edge of the copse, the cackling sound of the disgruntled prey to be heard as it escaped, the two hawks landed amongst the branches of the Black Pines.
From above the came the sound of small birds migrating, including Siskins, Redpolls, Linnets, Pied Wagtails and 2 Crossbills.
Fluttering in the sunshine was a very tatty Large White butterfly, so tatty that on first sight it looked to be a small white having lost some of its wings and markings. Basking on the dark green leaves of Ivy was a Red Admiral, in contrast very smart in black and red.
A red berry laden Holly bush was being occupied by a few Chaffinches, while feeding on the tumbling vines of the Old Man’s Beard were Goldfinches. These gold, red, white, black and beige birds, teasing seeds from the wispy white flower heads.
In the distance a Roe Deer was browsing on the leaves of a Blackthorn bush, its coat now changing colour from the rusty orange to a duller brown, once more to blend in with its background.
Back towards the Centre, 2 Ravens soared overhead and House Sparrows pranced on the roof of the building.