With the sun rising out near the Isle of Wight a gorgeous early morning on the cards.
Along the cliffs the constant buzz of seabirds, on the water Guillemots were bobbing, their dark brown backs contrasting with the white fronts as they floated in lines and clumps just below the cliff-face.
Down on the water (in amongst the Guillemots) were 9 Razorbills in jet black and white plumage, looking very smart especially with the white stripe on their thick bills. Also here was a single Razorbill still in non-breeding plumage, so sporting a mostly white face.
With a fresh south westerly wind, the Fulmars were zooming around, in and out from the coastline, circling round to return. As I spent time admiring and enjoying the ease of their actions, I was distracted by 2 Shags heading east, travelling at speed with the wind behind them, much less agile and looking like they could be out of control at any minute (I’m fairly sure this probably isn’t the case!).
Flying further out an Oystercatcher, another black and white bird, giving itself away by its loud piping call, and when spotted the long orange beak.
A Rock Pipit moving between tufts of dead plants and bare patches of limestone, calling as it did so.
On the ground the small white flowers of Danish Scurvy Grass are starting to show amongst the bright green leaves.
Other signs of spring included the yellow petals of Lesser Celandine, waiting for the sun to come out before opening up today, plus more Daisies and brighter and larger patches of Gorse in flower.
Sunning themselves yesterday by the stone plaques on the walls of the Castle a number of Wall Lizards.