I was drawn to the cliffs this morning, passing the brown branches of Blackthorn as I went, just a few Robins to keep me company, their chirping calls alerting me to their presence if I had missed the orange chests!
A few brilliant yellow flowers in bloom on some of the Gorse bushes, while they are mostly bereft.
Flapping high overhead a Cormorant, while skimming low across the water was a Shag, their slightly different shapes and ways of flying allowing them to be distinguished.
Further out the majestic shapes of Gannets could be made out, the bright white wings of the adults easily spotted, while the darker colouration of the juveniles harder to see against the grey backdrop of sea and cloud.
As I looked at a patch of Sea Campion, sliming their way over the stones were the tiny upright spires of Cochlicella acuta (the Spiral Snail).
Later some fantastic Slugs were to be admired, looking like small sticks these 5-6 inch long molluscs were slipping across the path. These all looked to be the same Arion type, but without dissection and DNA analysis, whether they were Arion ater, rufous or vulgaris it impossible to be sure – although veering towards one of the first two.
Clouds of small flies very noticeable along the coast, as they wouldn’t sit still for a moment the species is not yet confirmed.
A sudden flurry of action as flocks of Swallows arrived, the twittering making me look up as they circled, in amongst the flock were a few House Martins as well.
Across into the woodland to be greeted by the high pitched calling of Goldcrests, plus the less often seen and heard, Firecrest both species moving amongst the leaves and stems of the Elm, Willow and Sycamore.
More migration taking place, with overhead movements of Redpoll, Siskin and a Grey Wagtail.