A complete cover of grey cloud for my patrol, however splashes of Spring colour brightened the mood.
The pale lemon yellow of Primrose flowers to be found in a few clumps, while the larger brighter trumpets of Daffodils towered above the ground.
Along the woodland edge a Willow has just started to open, the delicate yellow flowers, tiny dots in a loose head alongside the soft furry of Pussy Willow.
Trundling over the grass a male and female Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, mating in progress as the male hitched a lift on the back of the larger female.
On the cliff edge a Peregrine was perched, its stillness making it initially appear to be a piece of rock, until a gust of wind fluffed up the feathers. Great views of the banded grey and white chest and bright yellow talons.
Apart from the almost constant beeping of a Blackbird, a fairly silent morning, just the sound of Guillemots flapping their wings as they washed on the water, and the gentle growling of Razorbills (14 counted).
A sudden eruption from the rocks and 70 or so Jackdaws took to the air, their cackling filling the air with noise, as some settled again the dark black caps contrasting with the grey head and piercing blue eyes.
Flapping low, just above the water a couple of Shags, their crests noticeable as they flew, in the beak of one a long dangling piece of seaweed, probably being taken back to the cliff as nesting material.
From the Gorse (some of which is covered in bright yellow pea-like flowers) came the distinctive ‘tapping’ of Stonechats. Upon scanning the dark black head could be spotted, as was the white collar and orange chest.
The churring of Blue Tits coming from the Blackthorn, the buds almost ready to burst into flower.