A glorious sunny morning, such a change from yesterday.
The sound of the sea drawing me down to the cliffs, where the water was rolling in against the rocks, white churning froth.
As I looked down a sun beam stretched across the water highlighting a group of 11 Guillemots which were bobbing on the water, 10 of these in their summery plumage and just the one still in winter plumage.
On the ledge another 100+ birds occupying the space, a constant movement of whirring wings as the Guillemots were flying on and off.
Whilst enjoying that spectacle, a distraction of a straight winged bird wheeling near the cliffs, was a view of a Fulmar. Another bird which leaves the area after the breeding season not to return for a few months, so a very welcome sight this morning. I can (and often have) spent ages just watching these superb fliers.
Continuing along the path the tinkling sound of a flock of Goldfinches heard, as they dropped onto the bare branches of the Hawthorn, where they proceeded to tease the threads of the white tufts of the Old Man’s Beard which was cascading over the bush.
Swooping close over my head a flock of Feral Pigeons, the sound of the air tearing as they flew, while near the Gully I was startled again by two Pheasants erupting from amongst the long rough grass.
A ‘sweup’ type call made me turn, and a brilliant bright pink chest of a male Bullfinch flashed by to land on the branch of a Sycamore, the sun shining onto its front – just fantastic.
Gambling across the grass two Grey Squirrels, both jumping onto and then up a nearby Ash tree as I approached. The Squirrels seem to be becoming more common and spotted further across the park than they used to be.