This morning was to have a few interesting surprises. Before than I passed under Sweet Chestnut leaves at past Hawthorn blossom and Garlic Mustard flowers beside Lighthouse Road. Here a pair of Speckled Wood did a spiral dance before parting company. Before entering castle wood, I passed Field Maple holding masts and Sycamore dangling flowers. Privet flowers very much blended in very much with leaves.
From the diagonal path Greenfinch was heard then seen below the path. Whitethroat, Chiff Chaff and Woodpigeon were heard as was a Stonechat amongst gorse near the Goat Plot. A Bullfinch flew over and a Robin explored about Ron’s Rest bench. Finally, Bittersweet flowers opened to reveal yellow inside purple / blue. My first surprise was to see a red/brown female Adder basking upon a dry branch and needle litter at the base of the Gorse.
Wild Carrot flowers had opened, and False Oat Grass was evident near Tilly Whim, with a pair of Herring Gulls and one Feral Dove was upon the wavecut platform. Guillemots were mostly in the cave with possibly thirty upon the sea. However, a good score was huddle on rock ledge close to the water. Two Shags left the cliff face heading in opposite directions along the coast.
My second surprise was seeing two Raven perched just one metre off the ground on the lowest measured mile marker. They were perfectly place for two photographers. However, upslope watching from the ground were another two Raven! I suspected the nearest pair to be this year’s young, which may lead to Guillemot egg predation.
Sea Beet with green flower spikes and Sea Campion, bloomed beside the coast path at the southwest corner of the Lighthouse. Crossing the horseshoe bridge, I walked into the calls from three male Stonechat in proximity. In the gully cut a Wall paused in the sun. I believe even an Adonis Blue was seen before I read the weather.