Today began being cloudy and damp, such that I could feel the softness of bare clay underfoot. This did not deter a flurry of birdwatchers nor Boat traffic. Two sloops under motor gently heading east whilst nosier traffic, headed west. I was relieved when the trio of Jet Skis passed although the chugging of pot fishing vessel SU461 soon arrived. Several angling boats noisily passed rather close to the sea cliffs.
Amongst the pleasant sounds were that of Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Whitethroat and Skylark of course! Rising through piles of “sleeping” walling stone were both Three Cornered Leek and Stinging Nettle. A Raven was upon the lowest measured mile marker and latter would be joined by a partner that was sat upon a Goat Plot fence post. Both Cowslip and a patch of Crosswort, flowered nearby in a hollow. Five Jackdaws were flushed from the downland as a man armed with a “scope” headed to the coast for more interesting fare.
Out at sea off the gully mouth Guillemots were seen flying towards the sea cliffs. A quartet of Greater Black Gulls were about the sea offshore whilst a solo Shag flew low and went west.
My attempts to find patches of gentian were unsuccessful, of course it was too dull for the flowers to “bother” to open. The brief cock crow of a Pheasant was followed by a Song Thrush performance in the gully. Latter I was to see both the Song Thrush and a Greenfinch, that former in Ash the latter in Sycamore. Both trees were well behind others that had advanced leaf cover. Indeed, last years nest / dray in Goat Willow was nearly obscured by leaves. Hawthorn Blossom was not bold in the gully cover, Apple Blossom and Wayfaring Tree flowers were more obvious. A Goldfinch duo chattered and flew between branches.
On the downland slopes a male Stonechat was active whilst the “conjoined” leaves of Yellow Wort (my Hilt Wort or Piercing Wort) were upon the ground. Flowers include Red Clover, Horseshoe Vetch and Chalk Milkwort. The leaves of both Agrimony and Dwarf Thistle were only shown. Back at the centre familiar Great Tit and Magpie were noted.