The diary starts with another beautiful sunrise, as a Magpie and Wood Pigeons are spotted. Towards the copse the Song Thrush is still heard singing away with its different and unique tones. Robins and Goldfinches can be heard as I walk between Blackthorn, Hawthorn, leafless Sycamore, Holm Oak and Stinking Iris. As I continue on the Lighthouse path I take a quick look to check if the Lighthouse Field gate is shut after the Herefords escaped into the Learning Centre Field on Friday morning leaving Hannah and the resident volunteers moving them back to lighthouse field.
Into the copse, Ground Ivy dominates the flora to the floor amongst the Stinking Iris, Shield Ferns and Harts-tongue Fern. Walking onward a cool breeze hits my face as a leafless Ash is spotted to the right of me. Looking down to the floor again, I notice the old wood edging of the path growing something interesting - Tremella aurantia, a fruiting body of a type of Jelly Ear fungus species – so orange and, well, jelly like!
Taking the diagonal path, I hear Robins call and sing, as well as Great Tits and Blue Tits, Jackdaws are seen in a small group towards the cliffs whilst the sunrise shimmers on the English Channel. Walking beside Goats Plot, I notice the Herefords grazing the long grasses there - a day before they will be moved to Fields 1 and 2, their Christmas home. A few Crows are heard above me as I reach the tamarisk and three of Father Christmas’ Reindeer to the bottom of the Diagonal path.
I take the clifftop path passing Tilly Whim, a Guillemot and Cormorant are spotted flying just above the sea below Tilly Whim caves. Looking out at the Guillemots cave, many can be seen in it, as around five to six Fulmars can be spotted flying elegantly in and out just above their cave. Herring Gulls are above me as I walk on admiring the species of Mosses and Lichens on the Dry-stone wall. At the Viewpoint I stop again, seeing the Fulmars at a different angle, I see about two or three inside a small hole, whilst the others fly very close to the cliffs and then fly out again.
It's my last diary before Christmas and New Year – Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year!