The patch of blue sky slowly was obscured by cloud as the morning progressed. Fresh worm cast had been spun out of damp soil. Passing through castle woods I noticed the tight buds of Bay. Other fruits were of Ivy and Stinking Iris. There were many white breaking wave crests upon a swell that rolled east with a westerly wind. Half a dozen Herring Gulls flew west following the coastline. Today I was pleased to see nine Hereford Cattle in the Goat Plot munching around the Gorse regrowth we need to cut.
Amongst the vocal cords of the wind today were the Measure Mile Markers, the overhead wires and occasionally the Learning Centre Bollard. I estimated some seventy Guillemots being in their cave, whilst it surprised me that some fifty were upon the sea. The birds were very much scattered upon the rolling swell. Perched below the cave was a single Greater Black Backed Gull that would have months to wait before possibly snatching a chick of the water. It was four Fulmars that performed a “bouncing of the cliffs” flight. Both Shags that left the lower cliff were to fly east, whilst the Guillemots headed out to see and west. White bird poop “decorated” some of the wooden post in the electric fence line. Another pair of Shags headed east past the gully mouth, possibly returning to rest. The gully slopes were empty of cattle with but a pair of Carrion Crows upon the sward. One silent male Stonechat perform body bobbing tail flicks before leaving its Privet, Bramble & Blackthorn perch.
Some thirty Jackdaws silently perched in a Sycamore beside the bridge. Although I crept silently past, they still eventually scattered leaving only two birds behind. However, I at least got to see the Chaffinch that had been sang its call. A few Bryony berries, although pale, were yet to shrivelled as its neighbours had upon the vine. It was the briefest view I had of a Small Mammal (Mouse or Vole) that scampered between the bridge parapets before vanishing into a drainage hole. Ash buds were at my eye level thanks to the bridge. The departed Jackdaws briefly merged to create a fifty strong clattering. One Meadow Pipit called as it flew upslope to head inland. From the overhead wires a Carrion Crow also fled inland.
Dry thistledown laid upon the ground having been released from Woolly Thistles by the cattle activity. Whilst taking the weather readings I was to add both Blue Tit and Magpie to this morning’s offering.