The first Jay of the morning flew up from beside the entrance road. A Robin flew from a Hawthorn into the hedgerow by the toilets entrance. A Carrion Crow called as a Squirrel pause on a kerb. The sun shone through branches as I crunched the leaves upon the path through castle wood. I emerged onto the diagonal path to see a dark wintery sky to the west. To the east the was thin cloud with patches of blue between. The sea was lightly rippled and the only white crests I saw was those in wake of yellow hulled vessel BM4 that sped eastwards. Shortly the sea went back to gently licking the cliifs.
Robins, Blackbirds and Jackdaws perched about the scrub. A pair of Jays flew over the goat plot whilst something buzzed amongst the Gorse. Hamish reported having seen nine species of Finches this morning. On the cliff top I saw a sunbeam stretch towards me across the water. A Buff Tailed Bumble Bee appeared rather sleeping as it clung to bare Elder branches. Around eighty Guillemot were huddled into the cliff cave.
Near the gully mouth Feral Doves were set up by another walker. Rock Pipits explored the cliff top. Only a Herring Gull was seen flying over the sea. A male Stonechat was seen in the gully, whilst at least three pairs of Magpies explored the slopes. I was lucky to see a Roe Deer grazing below the gully rock exposure. The Roe Deer’s head was down amongst the sward; however, it eventually became aware of me. Then we had the usual free, stare with upright ears position. From beside the water trough nearest the Small Copse a Song Thrush was sent to flight. A range of small bird pellets were found up the adjacent fence straining post.
The relatively naked branches of Ash, Sycamore and Hawthorn contrasted with the evergreen leaved Holm Oaks. I heard Chiff Chaff calls as I approached the learning centre.
I remind you the Seventhwave is closed today and through until 22nd November for essential maintenance works. The castle will be open, however, at times we will no maintenance tasks about the structure.