As the rain came down, a Swift was zooming across the grey sky, the narrow body between the two swept back wings, an all black scimitar in the air.
Most fauna (animals) seemed to be hiding out of the wind and rain, but for the Snails which were sliming their way across paths, up grass stems and onto flowers. Down by the coast the tiny pointed Spire Snails wobbled along the stems of Rock Samphire and the dead Thrift. Numerous Garden Snails noted while a Brown Lipped Snail had made it way onto the purple flower of a Thistle, making me wonder how it will get off this very spiny plant!
A patch of the downland was looking lovely with Wild Carrot, Greater Knapweed and Agrimony all growing tall while Restharrow, Field Bindweed and Eyebright grew at ground level, between these Marjoram was in flower.
The furry stems of the Yorkshire Fog grass, collecting water drops, alongside many other species including Cocksfoot, Meadow Barley, Oat Grass, Tor Grass and Rye Grass – such an under appreciated part of our flora.
The strong winds drawing me to the cliffs, where a few Guillemots were still on the water – the lower breeding ledge still has a few chicks being cared for, but they won’t be here much longer.
A Gannet was skimming the grey seas, its white wings flashing gloriously as it glided.
By the cliffs a family of Shags seemed to be using the first windy condition as a training ground, not the most elegant fliers at the best of times!
A young Peregrine Falcon, with pale stripe across the end of its tail and blue beak, also practising, hovering, manouevering touching down and then leaving again. It then took off at great speed plunging towards the sea where a Shag was in flight, the Shag aborted disappearing under the waves, while the peregrine circled up and round and undertook the same with a Guillemot which also crashed into the water as it escaped easily – this time!
Last night 4 Glow-worms admired, bursting a brilliant green light from the vegetation, just as a Tawny Owl flew silently by.