It seems mad to be writing this during the continuing heat of this hottest of summers but, for our feathered friends, autumn migration has begun.

You may have noticed fewer Swifts screaming through our skies, Swallows amassing on high wires, and, though many now remain to over-winter, fewer Chiffchaffs chiffchaffing from the trees where they were born and raised.

This particular Chiffchaff was one of several in the local coastal fields, feeding up before setting off on the next leg of its flight south.

It was searching this way and that, trying to find nutritious snacks, only to find its next snack was dangling, quite well hidden, above its head. The caterpillar didn’t give up easily but, after some strong tugs, the Chiffchaff won the day.