A lovely warm start to the day, clear skies, with the occasional cloud passing slowly overhead. Amongst the evergreen canopy of Holm Oak, I can hear the repetitive tweeting of a Great Tit and the song from a Blue Tit. On one branch, I spot a Robin; his red breast puffed up as he also chimes into the dawn chorus.
I wander down into the dell to check on the recent plantings, and was pleasantly surprised to see Spring has arrived… Magnolia buds are covered with soft silver hairs, small red and green buds have also sprouted on the Fuchsia and Mock Orange, and fresh leaves adorn the lower stems of Hydrangea.
Dock, Nettle, and Wild Arum poke through the mulched beds, undeterred by its cover. They are visited by a Buff-tailed Bumblebee, who inquisitively bumbles between the leaves. I look forward to seeing this area blossom and grow through the coming months.
I follow the coast path down the hill, and find it’s a fair bit more blustery as I turn west along the clifftop. Flustered Fulmars swoop to and from the cliffs, whilst a raft of Guillemots and Razorbills bob over the choppy sea.
I catch glimpse of Peregrine Falcon taking flight from the cliffs, with its wings outstretched, the bird is immediately taken into the air. Once high in the sky, it packs its wings close to against its body and quickly dives down past a group of squeaky Jackdaws out of sight.
Katie reports to me that she enjoyed watching a group of Long-tailed Tits busying themselves outside her window. I can picture their little rounded bodies undulating between the branches, and followed by their long tail feathers.