The sight of a Kestrel as it hovered above the rough flower strewn meadow, raised the spirits, the amazing ability of these chestnut coloured birds to remain perfectly in position while the wings and tail flutter and vibrate, never ceases to amaze me!
Below the flowers in the meadows still numerous, although as the summer goes on the colours change, with the purples of the first few of Greater Knapweed and Field Scabious, of Tufted Vetch and Bush Vetch, of Selfheal and Red Bartsia, all starting to take-over from the previously dominating yellows.
The yellows include Dyer’s Greenweed, Meadow and Yellow Vetchling, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Hay Rattle, Rough Hawkbit, Hop Trefoil amongst others – these are all still in flower but starting to tail off.
From the top of a large clump of spiky Blackthorn came the scratchy call of a Common Whitethroat, hopefully having successfully raised the first brood of chicks.
Hopping between the branches a Blackcap was spotted, the greyish male showing off his black cap. While from the patch of Brambles came the distinctive call of a Chiffchaff, repeating its chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff sound.
Clinging to the dark green square stem of a Cleavers was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, a deep blue / black colour, with, what to me looks like a clockwork movement as it moves each leg.
On the white flower of a Wild Carrot a Soldier Beetle wandered, as very different shape and style beetle – being much thinner and taking flight if disturbed.
Still many Guillemots on the water and on the ledges, but their breeding season is almost over. Through the live camera, yesterday evening, I watched one of the chicks standing on the edge of the rock, before taking the decision to plunge down to the water – the chick is unable to fly! Five minutes I spent waiting for this little chick jump in the dark dusk light. Hopefully it proceeded to paddle out to sea with its parent.