The sea was totally flat, not a ripple to be seen except those caused by the large bazaar of Guillemots which were bobbing on the water, the disturbance a result of the washing, taking off and landing of this flock.
In amongst these pointed billed birds were 13 Razorbills, their shorter and fatter bills distinguishing them from their close relatives, as well as the much blacker feather colouration.
On the cliffs a further 150+ Guillemots could be heard, and then from near Tilly Whim, as I looked back along the rock face, they were seen occupying the deep ledge.
A superb display by a Fulmar kept me enthralled, the white head so different from the grey wings and dirty white tail. The way they fly with a couple of flaps followed by long sweeping glides always fascinates me.
From behind me, came the call of a Blackbird, a sudden alarming clatter, on turning to see, I caught a glimpse of a Sparrowhawk dashing up and over the mass of Blackthorn scrub.
Looking back towards the sea a Peregrine Falcon floated past, providing a good view of this powerful bird of prey in flight.
Inland a little a flock of Long-tailed Tits were dangling in amongst the rambling twisting ropes of the Traveller’s Joy, the constant chittering of these ‘lollipops’ (round tops and long tails!) making them easy to discover in the grey and brown vegetation.
A high-pitched call pierced my ears, encouraging me to look for our smallest bird, the Goldcrest. After some searching a flittering blurr was spotted and with a bit of patience eventually it settled enough for a good view to be had.
The berries of the European Spindle are providing a splash of pink along the hedgerow where Blue Tits were adding movement.
A patch of pinky-red on the ground encouraged a closer look at what was a collapsed Red Cage fungus – Clathrus Ruber.