As we rush into March a few more signs of spring are showing, the loudest most definitely the wonderful song of the Skylark which was dropping down from the lark, which was hanging high in the sky, a dark dot against the grey cloudy backdrop.
As I walked around the meadows the Skylark was the consistent background music. But in amongst this calling, was the accompanying charging and fading song of a Chaffinch, quick quick slow the song goes. The culprit was perched on the lichen covered branches of Hawthorn. Its buff pink body, with blue and white flashes on the wings.
Along the cliffs there were three Fulmars were swooping and circling in and out, their thin grey wings contrasting against their bright white heads.
On the cliffs the Guillemots were packed into the ledge, a dark brown and white seething mass of bodies, their growling calls wafting up to the path for me to hear.
On the water, another few groups of Guillemots, but in amongst, mostly in groups of 5 -6 were Razorbills. These have a darker black look to them (even at that distance) and the thicker bills can also be made out. As well as this they were often in pairs, tapping their beaks together, my maximum count was 25, not a bad number for today.
Out on the downs, tiny white flowers are beginning to emerge, the Common Whitlow Grass just starting to show above the green grassy turf. These looking a little like someone has scattered rice across the ground!
In the woods the tell-tale, holes in the soft woodchip path, showing the route the Badger must has taken last night.
Rambling over the scrub, trails of Old Man’s Beard, the wispy dirty white heads tufts on the ropes. Perched in one was a Bullfinch, a brilliant bright pink chest showing against the dull background.
Swooping above the Mile Markers was a Raven, the deep sounding croak of its call alerting me to its presence, the Jackdaws were acrobatically playing on the cliff edge, cackling as they tumbled.
A rustle in the hedgerow, was a Blackbird turning the dried leaves, while flitting along the raft of Elm stems was a small flock of Long-tailed Tits. Such a great bird – easy to recognise, fun to watch and quite noisy!
From the woodland area came the sound of drumming – somewhere a Great Spotted Woodpecker was in action.