A breezy blustery morning took me out onto the downland area of the Country Park where I was greeted by a large flock of Goldfinches as they dropped onto the top twigs of the Hawthorn. In the strong winds the twigs were bending and the Goldfinches fluttering to remain clinging on.
This display was accompanied by a flock of Linnets perched alongside in the adjacent large clump of Gorse, their colours of pinks and browns less pronounced than the flashy Goldfinches.
Some of the understory in this area comprising of a large patch of Stinking Iris, the long green leaves erect along with the bright orange berries.
The leafless Hawthorn scrub is a dark red colour as the covering of berries carpets the tops, nipping in and out of one patch were a group of superb Long-tailed Tits. As they flitted, I was able to watch the flight pattern which seems to me hard work as the tail seems to drag behind. Their twittering calling a constant sound.
A few fungi emerging as the ground becomes damper, with the flattish topped Parasol Mushrooms, some small Common Puffballs, globules in the grass and some striped Turkey Tails on some of the dead wood edging of the paths.
The grey sea dotted with white waves crests as the strong wind blew from the south-west, and skimming along above these some Gannets. A bird which always make me stop and admire as they glide along, a few strong wing beats and a soar, just wonderful to watch. Today as they rolled sideways their white wings flashed towards me, tipped with black points.
Much further out, flicking along the horizon a line of black silhouettes, probably some Auks (Razorbills and Guillemots) but too far without a telescope to tell for sure.
The ledges today bereft of seabirds, but 2 Great Black-backed Gulls glided past.
Back up towards the woods and a flock of 50+ Wood Pigeons passed over – many more will be passing on their migration in the next few days and weeks.