The Redstart diaries

Male redstart on whitebeam

Early on a summer's morning the redstart sings in the whitebeam at the heart of his territory.  He sings loud, his black beak wide.  If disturbed, he might flit to  a nearby perch but once he thinks the coast is clear he's soon back on his favourite branch.  The whitebeam rises above the escarpment and from here  he can see and be seen, and heard.
To know  that he'll be here in full song is irresistible.  And puzzling.  He's here to breed, so what's his story this season?

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 Late in April he was displaying here, and now in summer he sings each morning from his favourite tree.  In  my redstart archive I have his image through spring and into summer, in shifting perspectives.   I have his song with a backdrop of distant woodland birds.  But the story of his summer is hidden and I can only guess at it- and read-up on redstart breeding habits and wish him luck. Their nest will be in a hole in the trunk of a whitebeam pressed close to the limestone cliff.  Secluded and safe.  His song is not unlike a robin's song and his fledglings resemble young robins.  His bobbing behaviour is similar too.  The cliff- top is an open vantage point and there's no concealment.  I've learnt what spooks him. He will allow my slow and silent approach, only so far.  Then he drops from his branch and is quiet- but not for long. Runners don't give him a glance and he over the cliff, and back again. 
The Welsh Blacks have new calves that frisk after their mothers across the open fell.  Common rock rose blooms, the more delicate hoary rock rose is almost over, looking frazzled in the heat. Purple thyme appears, with white bedstraws and budding lady's bedstraw. The dry earth has a herbal fragrance.
By the trig point stands an array of beer bottles, as if awaiting collection by the bin men!

On Scout Scar the earth is cracked and dried through lack of rain.  I saw a couple of fritillaries but there are few butterflies, only tiny moths.  Some ten years ago the anthills were thick with flowers and it was not unusual to see several fritillaries nectaring together, and common blues. There are lots of small heath but it's another  poor summer for butterflies. And for flowers.  Dog roses are in bloom and brambles budding.
On a bright morning speckled wood were in mating flight in sunlight and shadow amongst the trees and brambles.

Countryfile has this evening concluded a splendid series of programmes on Her Majesty's Royal Estates and her commitment to agriculture and conservation.   The weather-forecast for the week ahead promises rain- hurray!