A much fresher morning today with the temperature a chilly 20 degrees. A lovely breeze rolling in off the sea made for a pleasant walk. The park was so peaceful with just the faint chirps of a trio of Bullfinches passing overhead, and the buzz and hum of a Buff-tailed Bumblebee as it busied about a Knapweed flower gathering nectar and getting a fine dusting of pollen in the process.
Checking over a large patch of Ragwort I found a number of Red Soldier Beetles, their bright red backs contrasting beautifully against the yellow flowers. I also spotted a tiny spider hanging from its web wrapping up an unlucky fly in silk. One finished it dashed off to store, or consume, its prey.
Every day seems to bring more and more butterflies and today, despite the slightly stronger breeze, they were out in force. Marbled Whites, Gatekeepers, Large and Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, and Speckled Woods all danced about the morning sky. I also found a pair of mating 5-spot Burnets and a recently departed cocoon. I left them to their business and moved onto the downs.
Wild Carrot continues to flourish, Agrimony mostly turned to seed now ready to attached themselves to my socks, and the pink/purple heads of Field Scabious bobbed in the wind looking like pompoms.
Taking a short stop to look out to see the peace was broken by two Peregrine Falcons making a racket. They circled once or twice giving me a very clear view before ducking below the cliffs and flying off. The sea was a deeper steely blue this morning, a touch rougher than the last few days and far fewer boats were out. The chattering calls of Herring Gulls and peeping of Rock Pipits easily audible on the breeze.
A final wildlife on my walk this morning was the cheerful sight of two Robins scratching around on the lawn looking for tasty worms. A good day to be out.