I started my early patrol to the accompaniment of a flock of Goldfinches, twittering and tinkling from the rambling Blackthorn and Bramble scrub. These colourful and beautifully marked birds perched atop the bushes.
On the ground a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle caught my eye, the deep purple-blue colour of this large rotund beetle, particularly bright around its joints. As it walked, it was fascinating to see that each of its 6 legs move in different ways and at different times.
Gliding above the downland ridge emerged a bird of prey, the long tail and slender body indicating a Kestrel, this was proved when it started to hover just nearby, its head remaining still as the wings and tail quivered.
The delicate pale lemon yellow flowers of Old Man’s Beard are very attractive at the moment, the plant climbing over and smothering fences, gates, walls and other bushes forming a mat of rope, leaves and flowers!
Flitting amongst the scrub a few Willow Warblers, plus a great view of a Bullfinch, the bright pink chest ad white rump spotted as it moved from side to side.
A mass of chittering drew my attention towards the flock of Long-tailed Tits which were active in the Blackthorn. As they fly, they always look (to me anyhow) a little unbalanced as they sway through the air, the long tails dropping sown as they move.
Out to the far end of the National Nature Reserve to look at some potential winter work. Here the grass is spotted with patches of Dog Rose, with growing through and around this prickly plant, Hedge Bedstraw, Yarrow, Agrimony and Black Knapweed.
I was looking for the Pea Gall which lives on the leaves of the dog rose, but to no avail, however on the Bristley Ox-tongue a male Thick-kneed Flower Beetle was searching for nectar.
Taking flight from the downland a Meadow Pipit, while perched on the spiky Gorse a Stonechat and a female Blackbird.