Starting out across the meadows to check the Hereford Cattle, it was too dark to see the birds that could be heard as they flew just overhead, however their songs were identifiable and included Goldfinch and Chaffinch.
I was however distracted by the cows being in the wrong field – this is what happens when gates are not shut – I was able to move a few back to where they should be, but some still the wrong side. Please Shut and Latch any of the gates. This helps people who don’t want to be in the same field as cattle, as well as reduce damage to gateways and means the cattle are grazing the right fields.
Back to the wildlife as the light improved, and a Bullfinch emerged from amongst the dark trunks of a Blackthorn scrub, its pink chest suddenly spotted in the gloom.
From nearby the chittering of a flock of Long-tailed Tits, searching they were popping up and down in amongst the rambling wisps of the Wild Clematis - always a treat to watch the antics of these small birds, which to me seem to have too long a tail for their little round bodies!
Suddenly, from between the gap in the scrub, a deep orange lozenge was showing just on the horizon, as I watched the shape changed and grew bigger and brighter as the sun was rising – a fantastic sight with the sea below shimmering orange then gold.
On the cliff the ledges were again occupied by the Guillemots, not a full sitting but over 100, enjoying visiting their cliff quarters. The majority in the white-faced winter plumage. These birds will probably have gone back out to sea again by the middle of the morning.
A large queen Buff-tailed Bumble Bee was flying along the border, in search probably of some nectar and perhaps a place to spend the winter.
Burnet Saxifrage, Field Scabious, Rough Hawkbit and Hawkweed Ox-tongue all have a few flowers still in bloom, but it was more of a surprise to see a perfect Meadow Buttercup.