Last night, during our Stargazing evening, I heard a Tawny Owl calling from the Holm Oak dominated woodland to the west of the castle. This morning Widget (the park dog) initially led the way I was taken through the hay cut meadows. Above me came the sound of flap, flap and glide indicating a Wood Pigeon passing. As we ventured towards the large copse I noticed the usual September abundance of Spiders webs produced by this years young. Hoverflies and Bees flew around the flowers but much smaller insects were responsible for the hum beneath three trees but above my head.
I had assumed the large black bird atop a Corsican Pine in the Large Copse to be a Carrion Crow. However, I later heard the distinctive call and then observed the passing flight of a solitary Raven with it’s hooked down curved beak tip. From the woodland to the inland edge of the park came the call of a Green Woodpecker. Within Saxon Field scrub I heard the sound of two of Blackcaps. About the centre I heard a Chiff Chaff then observed an unidentified (by me) Warbler which flew into a ringing net. The bird was not tangled but held in the nets fold and remaining relatively calmly upon its back. Over Saxon flew up to thirty House Martins, meanwhile no birds upon the lighthouse overhead wires but Jackdaws blending with the dark roof tops and a Magpie semi camouflaged on the white gable end!
One Blackberry I tasted was firm but sharp, however, both Sloes and Haws have finally softened. Elder and Bryony fruit provided some additional hedgerow colour and food for the birds.
It is in the uncut field margins, the Common Wares and Saxon Field were there is more insect activity due to remaining flowers. Red Clover, Rest Harrow, Fleabane, Bristly Ox Tongue, Ragwort and Tufted Vetch are amongst those flowers in the herb layer.
Clouded Yellow, 3 Adonis Blues
Temperature: Max 17.7; Min 11.9; Dry 17.2; Wet 14.8
Wind: 0 North; Max 15 at 00:16 this morning
Visibility 27km Rainfall: 3.5 mm