Both a Bloody-nosed Beetle and Garden Snail were near safely completing their journeys across the tarmac road. Despite the wind three Marbled Whites were seen, two of white sought shelter and basking opportunities upon Blackberry leaves. Wild Thyme amongst tight Rabbit grazed turf, was visited by a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee.
Amongst the sounds heard over the wind were Jackdaw cackles, Herring Gull mews, Stonechat chatter and Rock Pipit pipping. The latter two were near the gully mouth with both species seeming to be family groups. Back near the centre Whitethroat, Greenfinch and Chiff Chaff were heard.
The Guillemot cave had good occupancy with small rafts of the seabirds spotted between the swell. Off the gully mouth a floating carpet of seaweed indicated that the wind had been strong (gusts up to 32!) Feral Dove appeared briefly above the cliff top whist both a Shag and Fulmar were seen to head west of Anvil Point.
Cliffside some Thrift retained flowers whilst much of the Kidney Vetch had gone over. More Golden Samphire flowers were close to opening fully. Wind swept over Lighthouse Green and tickle the branch tips and tops of Sycamore which might result in the shedding of some seed masts. Roadside were Pyramidal Orchid flowers to be enjoyed before entering the dense blanket of Old Man’s Beard cover before the bridge. It could only have been a Fox “leaving” that was upon one of the horseshoe bridge parapets. Crab Apples had developed little in size since may last seeing them, thus perhaps at their full, potential. Inland the pale-yellow petals emerged above the leave whorls of Common Toadflax. I was pleased to see that work of volunteers, led by former Ranger Linda Price, in that to the demo quarr shaft entrance was exposed again. Upon Burdock I felt the hooks upon a burr ball.
Near the small Copse, but still on the downland, I was treated to a Yellowhammer encounter. The bird flew up from ground and perched, silently, in a bare Hawthorn for a moment.