A blustery autumn morning, with a southerly wind roaring through Holm Oak and Sycamore in the woodland, sending leaves tumbling down like confetti!
Along the clifftop, the paths are carpeted with the fine green fronds of Tamarisk, snapped off by the wind, while on the bushes, the leaves look a little like traffic lights, fading from green, to yellow, to a rusty red. At sea, a few Gannets pass by, their plumage gleaming white under a brightening sun, as it breaks through ridges of grey and gold cloud.
Down below, the main ledge is crammed with Guillemots, like black and white milk bottles on a doorstep! Others whir in and out to sea in a blur of wings, with Shags, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull also battling the breeze.
A Kestrel clings to the cliff-face at Tilly Whim, the wind ruffling her feathers, as a noisy gang of Jackdaws circle overhead.
A steady stream of Woodpigeon clatter by, as they start to gather into larger winter flocks, and roam further afield in search of food. Some large ‘charms’ of Goldfinches also on the move, their tinkling calls surprisingly loud above the wind.
The damp weather has brought an impressive crop of fungi to fruit, with giant ‘fairy rings’ (some decades old) of Horse and Field Mushroom and Shaggy Parasol in the meadows.
Along the hedgerows and the woodland edge, the bright orange seeds of Stinking Iris are looking fantastic at the moment, beneath overhanging yellow Blackthorn leaves. Ivy is starting to flower – in sheltered corners, it’s sickly-sweet scent filling the air.
In the shelter of the Dell, Flowering Cherry is in bloom, along with the golden fruit of a Crab Apple and the last few flowers of Buddleia.
Out of the wind on Caravan Terrace, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Bullfinch are all out foraging for breakfast.