The rain and wind have returned in full force with the wind reaching speeds of up to 49mph last night. The wind whips all the trees into a frenzy. Heading down long meadow Wood Pigeons occasionally break cover and brave the wind only to immediately regret it as they get blown off course and fight to get back on course. Leaves from nearby Oak and thrown in all directions by the wind and I struggle to keep my hood up. Fern’s big floppy ears are sent skyward in the wind as she trots along side me.
In the woodland the sound of swaying creaking trees comes from above as I walk under them. Under food wet leaves make the path slimy while Ivy creeps its way over the log edging on to the path.
Back along the coast path a small flock of Long Tailed Tits can be heard coming from within a Holly bush, the bush sheltered by the wind. The waves crash into the shoreline below and water whipped up into a frenzy, one Shag bobs about on the water as if resting on perfectly still water.
Yesterday while clearing come bags left by the work party me and Tom watched approximately 10 Gannets feeding out to sea. Sore low over the sea in a zigzag pattern they take it in turn to fly high and then dramatically dive down into the water to hopefully catch some lunch.
Artist Robin also reported seeing a Short-Eared Owl twice, once having a fight with a Peregrine Falcon just over the cliffs and again flying inland over Oxeye meadow.