Hills and Holes sunset

A mildly frustrating day - we were booked to continue with our rail-side surveys, but once again it was wet in the morning and when the sun finally appeared at around 3pm, it was too late to make a visit worthwhile. 

I planted out a few annuals into the warm, moist soil and while I was working in the garden I spotted a brood of freshly fledged great tits (see extra), lurking among the foliage of the pear tree, cheeping incessantly while their parents shuttled to and fro from the bird feeder, with sunflower hearts for them.

After dinner I escaped for an evening walk at Barnack Hills and Holes. Surprisingly, there was no-one else there and it was very peaceful watching the sun set, surrounded by a chorus of birdsong, including several willow warblers. The pasqueflowers have now largely gone to seed, but the fluffy seed-heads are almost as beautiful as the flowers, particularly when backlit by the setting sun (see extra).