A lovely sunny morning but a chilly wind blowing across. Down to the clifftops where the Fulmars were skimming above the waves, soaring up towards the rocks and then back down in a constant circling fashion. A fantastic opportunity to admire the way the straight wings and body weight flow for it to make it turn and glide.
On the ledge, the black and white Guillemots were jostling for space, the colours rippling as they moved.
As I walked across the downland the soft ground showed the slot marks of the Roe Deer as they walked through the mud, a sudden movement from amongst the rough grass and a Skylark took flight a short burst of song.
A movement from a patch of Gorse, scattered with a few yellow flowers, and a dark long-tailed shape emerged. As it flew a few yards then landed on the prickly twigs the shape of a Dartford Warbler became very evident. Having watched for a few moments it flitted deeper into the bush and began to call, a ‘churr’ heard. This is quite an elusive bird here so good to see it in the winter.
A loud croak from high above, turned my heard skyward and a black silhouette of a Raven flew over, this was followed by those of the much smaller Jackdaws who were cackling as they passed by and a couple of Magpies.
Splashes of colour from the orange berries of the Stinking Iris, showing from the bottom of the hedgerows and Blackthorn scrub, the tall thin leaves of this Iris smelling strongly when crushed or torn.
A patch of Winter Heliotrope now showing its delicate white flowers, I checked for the almondy smell but was unable to notice it today.
A couple of House Sparrows around the eaves of the building and Great Tits on the fence, plus a Robin on the wall allows the continuation of my birdwatching through the window as I write this diary!