From the meadows came the yaffling laughter of a Green Woodpecker, this large bird then spotted and it flew, up and down in a repetitive W, until landing on the Yellow Meadow Ant hill strewn short turf. These hills must be very hard even for a beak as powerful as his, lots of effort before being able to enjoy the morsels inside.
A brilliant red splash of colour was from the berries of a Wayfaring Tree, may be this weather suits this tree as the colours are so vivid.
A Red Admiral fluttered by while I was admiring the markings of a Gatekeeper – doing just what it says, basking on the upright gate post. It was also alongside the hedge, so mimicking its other name of Hedge Brown!
In the meadows patches of pale purple and lilac and pink are being produced by the Marjoram, as well as the Field Scabious and Greater Knapweed.
Closer to the ground the pink and white flowers of Restharrow bursting from the thick stems providing a covering to the ground, along with Red Bartsia, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Squinancywort.
The seed heads of Hay Rattle were rattling in the breeze, while the Quaking Grass and Pale Flax heads gently wafted on their taller stems.
A small group of Linnets twittered as they moved amongst the twisting ropes of Old Man’s Beard, the adults sporting a pink patch on the chest and the young flitting about.
A flock of Goldfinches landed in amongst the Linnets adding to the noise, while a Common Whitethroat darted into the mass of cream flowers.
Great views of a Dark Bush-cricket as I rescued/removed it from the ladies toilets (it was male), the churring song of the Field Grasshopper reverberating through the grasses as was that of the Meadow Grasshopper.