A still spring morning, with pale sunshine pushing through a rolling sea of cloud.
Walking up through the woodland, a tide of green has swept across the woodland floor, which is carpeted with the leaves of Ramsons and Lesser Celandine (along with it’s golden flowers), the delicate, ferny leaves of Herb Robert, while Cow Parsley leaves are almost knee high already.
Here and there, dense patches of the garlic-scented leaves of Three-cornered Leek can be seen, while overhead, Hazel, Sycamore and Elder are in leaf.
Out in the meadows, fresh, green Hawthorn leaves are starting to unfurl, while in sheltered corners, foamy white Blackthorn blossom fills the air with it’s sickly-sweet scent.
Among the meadow grass, the first Cowslips are appearing – still just the height of my thumb but a hint of the glorious displays to come in the next few weeks.
Early Spider Orchids are on the brink of opening – watch your steps as their broad leaves and soft green buds can be hard to spot until they flower.
Skylarks hurl their rapturous song into the air – to help protect this threatened species, please keep your dogs to the paths!
The calls and song of Great Tits, Blue Tits, Chiffchaffs, Chaffinches, Robins and Wrens fill the air, along with the sweet, repeated tunes of a Song Thrush and the ‘sweeing’ of Greenfinches.
A single Swallow flicks its wings as it hurtles in off the sea – my first this year, it’s always a joyous moment to see them make landfall after their long journey from Africa, with a newly arrived Wheatear seen yesterday.
Guillemots are crammed onto the ledges, with Razorbills, Fulmars and a Scoter also seen from the cliffs.