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Thursday 10th February 2022

Above my head, soaring against the dull grey sky, were the black shapes of Ravens, as I looked more closely and spotted that there were 7 of these magnificent birds, I wasn’t sure whether to be delighted that they have made such a good comeback over the last few years or terrified due to the effect they could have of the Guillemot colony if the nest next to them on the cliffs.  As they tumbled and cavorted, I opted for the optimistic delight at listening and watching them!

At the opposite scale the high-pitched call of the tiny Goldcrest attracted them to my attention as they flitted in the twigs of the Alder, where its large brown seed heads are still dangling.

As I enjoyed the walk towards the downland, where the Hereford cattle are currently grazing the tinkle of Goldfinches occupied the air, as they dropped into the clump of Blackthorn the gold wing fathers were flashing brightly.

Wandering through the cattle who were busy munching noisily on the Ivy, a Stonechat popped up onto the top of a Hawthorn, the white collar very distinguished and tail bobbing up and down.

Behind me rose a Skylark, emitting the start of its lilting song, before returning to land amongst the thick tufts of Tor Grass.

The ‘seeping’ call of a Greenfinch was coming from the Sycamore, while a Chaffinch was calling or perhaps singing, but not doing its ‘proper’ song, as I watched this buff bird which was perched in the Gorse, whose yellow flowers had just begun to burst open.

Scampering across the short turf was a Rabbit, its white tail bobbing up and down as it hopped around the base of the Blackthorn patch of scrub.

On the patio a Great Tit was a peering into the old black Victorian metal Bollard, the oval hole possibly the perfect fit for this bird?


  By Katie Black

Todays Information

Weather

Min Temp: 6.2
Max Temp: 13.7
Gusts: 14
Rainfall: 3.6
Outlook: Becoming brighter

Media

Image title: Raven
Image by: Greg Lee
Audio File 1: Raven
Audio File 2: Chaffinch