As I drove in this morning, I followed a Red Legged Partridge running down the drive until it ducked into the hedge row.
Meeting resident volunteer Hannah at the Learning centre we set out across the top of the light house field. We are delighted to see the first of the Blackthorn starting to flower, the fluffy white flowers bursting to life the on the start brown branches. Further along the flitting of a Chiffchaff catches our attention as it bounces around the branches of a Wayfaring Tree, covered in the bright green fresh leaves.
A Dunnock stands silhouetted on the horizon at the top of a Hawthorn, just visible through the slowly lifting fog. As we reach the gate into field 6 we spot a Stonechat standing proud on the top of a spindly branch protruding out of a large clump of scrub, black cap making it easy to recognise. Closer in a Chaffinch sit atop of an Ash Tree.
Heading over the top of the ridge into 6a we look over the water to see a Gannet swoop across the surface of the still water. Over head Skylarks flit past and belt out their pretty melody.
A bank outside the light house is covered in Scurvy Grass which is smothering in tiny white flowers. Above Tilly Whim ledge we admire a rather pretty pair of Feral Dove, while also watching lots of Guillemots come in and out of the cliffs. Others bob around on the water in loose rafts, while the large ledge stands empty. We watch as the dark forms of three Razorbills rush back into the cliff.
Following a tip off from a birder we met on the cliff path, we head up the diagonal path to find the Cirl Bunting. We first are greeted by a small flock of Greenfinch before spotting a rather handsome looking Roe Deer in the goat plot. Before long we find the bird, we are looking for, or hear the bird we are looking for. The repetitive calling of the Cirl Bunting stands out against the noise of other surrounding birds, before long we spot it on a tree to the side of the goat plot. To top off one of the best diary walks I have done in a while we are treated to a handsome looking Kestrel sitting atop a Hawthorn, only 10m in front of use.