Leaves rattle and branches swing as Storm Eunice still rattles through the park this morning. The maximum gust we recorded over the weekend was 68mph, though overnight the strongest gust was just 38mph.
With the winds eased slightly, I decided to take a walk through the woodland. Fortunately it appears the storm damage has been limited to just a few smaller trees - a few sycamore, a willow, and apple. A lot of these trees you could see the reason for it to fall - a split stem, rotten core, or overstood canopy. However one large holm appeared to just been unlucky-it’s entire rootball ripped up from the ground and heaved over sideways, leaving a large puddle of clay behind.
The woodland gets progressively more sheltered towards Sunnydale, I could hear some bird song ringing out through the trees - great tit, robin , and blackbird.
Magpies and crows rattle around in the branches above, and I also catch a glimpse of a jay swooping down into the undergrowth of privet.
The stream trickles through the stone bridge at the bottom. It meanders down towards the cliffs under the red fruits of cherry laurel and bounded by Hart’s Tongue Ferns.
Many sprigs of daffodil leaves now poke you through the leaf matter. Purple Crocuses have bloomed on the corner of the Aviary Glade, and I spotted my first few Snowdrops and Celendines in flower as well.
A quick jaunt along the cliff top revealed rough seas to still batter the rocks below. The guillemot ledge is packed full of the birds, whilst a raft of razorbills float on the water.
The winds aren’t making life easy for the coastal birds. I saw a pair of shags flying about 150’ in the air; much higher than their usual low flight with wings almost clipping the waters surface.
The wood pigeons and jackdaws struggle with the winds as well; they both take flight with outstretched wings, gaining. instant lift into the sky, they then have to rapidly beat their wings to regain control.