Still a charm, but only a quartet of Goldfinch passed the centre. In the garden a duo of Greenfinches rested, whilst only the Chiff Chaff’s call was heard in the background. Passing through the shade of castle wood I sent Wood Pigeon scattering. I stepped into the sunlight on the diagonal path and found patches of white Blackthorn blossom amongst the dominating Gorse flowers. Silently a Raven headed west along the cliff tops, only to about turn off the measured mile posts. A “tzee” call drew my attention to two more Greenfinches in an Ash.
I caught sight of the bare mast of a sloop under motor passing close the cliffs. With small package vin both of their beaks, a pair of Jackdaws descended to the cliff. I turned into bright sea reflected sunlight so to check on reptiles and seabirds. Only the seabird colony was fruitful with the cave filled such that twenty Guillemots perched on the sloping boulder due to the lack of room. A further seventy Guillemots were rafted upon the sea. An additional raft consisted of six Razorbills and two Guillemot. Undeterred by Jackdaw visits, a Cormorant perched high up the cliff face where the vegetation began. Below, with its cockscomb, it was a Shag upon the sea.
Amusingly, near Anvil Point’s stone carving that read “Please preserve and not destroy the turf”, there were signs of turf having been plucked out by birds. This was either in search of insect larvae or to harvest bedding. Upon reaching the overhead wires, each stretch occupied by a Woodpigeon, a Kestrel was seen to fly off up the gully. Upon the green the leaves of Early Spider Orchid had developed beyond basal rosettes to reach up towards the sun. Long radial spirals leaves extended out of an Early Purple Orchid rosette. A pleasant surprise was the emerging blossom of a Pear beside horseshoe bridge. The sun shone off the patterned bronzed breast of a male Pheasant. Ascending the downland slop I was observed by a Robin that gripped the stem of a Teasel. The passing of dogs created a cacophony of barking which briefly, drowned out the sweet sounds of Skylarks.