I began my morning patrol by collecting the wheelie bin and its contents from where it had been blown across the carpark, struggling to close the large sail like lid! The maximum gust recorded here was only 51mph, at 4 o’clock in the early hours, as I write the wind is blowing at an average speed of 29mph.
As I walked down to the Lighthouse, a small charm of Goldfinches landed in the Blackthorn bush, flashing its golden wing bars as they arrived. As these small finches perched on the spiky branch I was also able to see the red head markings – such attractive birds.
A magnificent view of a Bullfinch by the white bridge, vivid pink chest, black and slate grey head and back. This male was perched on the saying branch of a Sycamore.
Onto the coast path, where the wind was whipping along, as it was coming form the west it was blowing me down and then up the gully, looking down the sea was crashing into the ledges at Tilly Whim, spray erupting over the top, sprinkling me with salty water at times
Bright yellow splodges of Gorse flowers covering the spiny green twigs, one of the few flowers that can be found blooming throughout the year.
With the winds, a check of the woods was in order, but other than a few twigs lying around on the paths, nothing untoward noted.
I was surprised to find an Apple tree, the twigs end of which having a definite bud emerging.
Above, against the grey sky, I was able to watch the comical activity of two Carrion Crows, who looked to be aiming to head west, but were in fact travelling backwards in an easterly direction. A sudden switch of wing position and they turned to head east and the right way round.
Nothing this morning to be spotted at sea, with the Guillemots not on the ledges.