As I picked up a piece of Christmas litter (santa chocolate wrapper) I walked into the prickly leaves of a Holly, which was alongside some Ivy (the berries of which are now turning black ready to feed the birds).
By my feet the aptly names Turkey-tail Fungus was growing on the dead log, and on the trunk of an Ash, the hard balls of King Alfred Cakes. From an Elder the wobbly Jelly Ear fungus also making an appearance.
In the woodlands a flock of Long-tailed Tits hung and dangled from the twigs of the Elm and the Alder, which is also bedecked by its small cone like seeds.
While watching these, my attention was caught by a movement in the Willow, these tiny birds could only be some Crests – on closer inspection there was a Firecrest and a couple of Goldcrests
Following the diagonal path downhill allowed me to enjoy the view of the downs and the sea, the light this morning a strange combination of silver shimmering on the water and bronze where the low sun was lighting the tops of the clouds.
Skimming low across the water was a Shag, while further out, a much larger and gleaming white Gannet also flying just above the rippling sea.
On the ledges the Guillemots were in, well over a hundred growling and chattering, the sound was prominent today as it drifted up to my ears.
Soaring in and out of the uneven rock face were two Fulmars, just glorious to watch as they went round.
From above came the calling of a couple of Siskins and some Goldfinches, while Blue Tit and Song Thrush both called from nearby.
Last night, breaking the silence, a Tawny Owl was calling in the drizzle