Another windless sunny morning, glorious for a walk along the clifftop, where barely a ripple on the sea, other than those caused by the diving Shag or paddling Great Black-backed Gull.
Down near the gully the ‘tap tap’ sound of Stonechats caught my ear, as I looked at the tops of the Blackthorn and Bramble at least 8 of these orange breasted birds seen. As I turned another 4 came into view, and more again as I walked uphill. Most of these had dark brown head and backs, probably youngsters hanging about.
A good scattering of other migrants, with lots of Chiffchaffs flitting amongst the leaves, olive green in colour while the larger greyer Blackcaps. – many with chestnut brown caps also seen as they hop from branch to branch.
The huge size difference between the Jackdaw and the Raven seen as they perched side by side on the dry-stone wall, the shaggy legs and collar of the Raven opposite to the sleekness of the blue-eyed Jackdaw.
On the ground a Devil’s Coach Horse crossed the path, its tail curved upwards. A little further into the grass was a Great Green Bush-cricket, one of our largest insects. While hopping away as I walked were numerous Field Grasshoppers and Meadow Grasshoppers.
Attracted to light of the moth trap was an Oak Bush-cricket, such a delicate creature compared with the others. Also there was a Red-legged Shieldbug – quite common it says in the details, but I’d not seen one before.
A quick view of a Common Shrew as it flashed across, a Rabbit, Fox and Grey Squirrel out enjoying the sunshine.
A flash of yellow, provided me with a superb view of a Yellowhammer, as it stood atop the Hawthorn, which was draped in a rope of bright red Black Bryony berries.
A flock of Goldfinches landed in the Spindle, which has a rash of bright pink berries – these berries seem surprisingly early this year.