Well today the season was normal, cold with heavy rain, as winter can be. Already the dedicated Park Run volunteers had put out signs, despite the down poor. Fortunately, the rain mostly eased for my patrol. Despite good grass cover the wet, the clay soils were slippery. A “milky tea” tickle flowed to the tarmac road by the walling centre.
Amongst the bonfire pile were a Chaffinch and Goldfinch, hopefully not intending to nest therein. These piles need to be burnt soon. Upon Gorse a male Stonechat was spotted. It was challenging head down to the measured mile post were Herford Cattle we joined by two Magpie. One of these birds were to perch halfway upon the metal ladder where, above, perched a Raven calling. Again, I tested both electric fences, as a weekend cattle escape would be most inconvenient.
At the Gully Mouth the sound a spray of the blow hole was observed. On e of each, a Shag, Herring Gull, and Greater Black Backed Gull flew west. Off the observation a clattering of forty Jackdaw was in the sky. Our Gulliemott cave was empty, however, Fulmars and Feral Doves were active as usual, although none of them should be taken for granted. It must have been snippets of Rock Pipit song that was heard from the small bird about the cliff top. Here upon the Head Deposits miniature “bushes” of Branching Lichens clung to the rock a soil combination.
I ventured into Goat Plot where the cattle had exposed Gorse regrowth. Unfortunately, they had made little impact in the grazing extension area. This in part to their being more scrub than grassland, even the tow mineral licks had received limited attention. Observing me from the margin was a male Great Tit. I needed to see some flowers, so I took in those of Viburnum and Cherry Plum (blossom) beside the wooded part of Lighthouse Road. Cherry buds remained closed. At the car park edge fluffy buds were upon Goat Willow. A Robin sang from a Field Maple below which stood several Teasel stems with heads. A pair of Jackdaw perched silently within a Sycamore. Above the varied bird sounds came the feint rumble of an aircraft. The wildlife garden was quiet whilst the wind and rain drops rippled the pond surface.