Walking out across the National Nature Reserve, a changeable morning for the weather, with the clouds scudding quickly across the sky, the wind sweeping in from the west and the sun squeezing out from between the clouds, followed by a sudden waft of rain – glorious.
Across the sky a few flocks of Wood Pigeons, which are expected at this time of year as they start to travel to other lands. Less expected though was a flock of Rooks, 40+ of these large black birds, distinguished from their close relative the Carrion Crow, by the pale area at the top of the beak.
Emerging from amongst the grasses a variety of flowers are still to be found, from the fairly large Common Toadflax, which has a pale yellow outer and deeper yellow inner, to the tiny yellow flowers of Lady’s Bedstraw.
The purple flowers of Greater Knapweed and the lilac of Field Scabious still showing occasionally, but I was surprised to spot a small patch of Chalk Milkwort the bright blue flower with white tufts on the steep slope.
A few yellow flowers on the top of a Gorse bush, alongside them a Stonechat, the dull orange chest and brown head showing off well, as I looked, another two Stonechats popped up on nearby bushes.
Down by the cliffs groups of Jackdaws, cackling as they were tumbling around – almost as if they were just enjoying themselves!
The limestone ledge once more being occupied by the Guillemots, there black and white bodies blending in surprisingly well with the backdrop. Focussing in with the binoculars it was evident that virtually all were in there winter plumage, with their heads covered in white feathers.
Landing in the Tamarisk a charm of Goldfinches, the flashes of colours and tinkling making them easy to spot.
Basking on the wall of the cliff was a Red Admiral, red, white and black against the white lichen encrusted stone.
Trotting over the field a Roe Deer, the coat having turned a darker brown compared with the summer tan.