What a change from yesterday with blue sky overhead and a crisp frost on some of the ground.
A Song Thrush was perched on a patch of tall Dog Rose, the spiky prickles on the long stems showing up against the clear blue background as the bird stuttered in song,
In the gully a dark brown shape could just be made out, this Roe Deer was standing watching me in the gloom, I in term studied with my binoculars, its newly forming antlers covered in a thick velvet
A cock Pheasant strutted across the path, it blue-green head and bronze back shining in the morning light, it then jumped upwards and took off, wings furiously flapping, and loud tail wobbling, a loud squawk as it went.
At the cliff the sound of Guillemots growling and gargling could be heard. These black and white auks have been away for a couple of days so lovely to hear them again.
Looking along the rock face the main ledge was covered in Guillemots and another 30 or so were bobbing on the water. I checked amongst them for the even darker Razorbill, but not arrived yet. The Razorbills normally return to the cliffs late Jan early Feb so worth a look.
Wheeling round in huge circles were 4 Fulmars, the stiff wings giving them a very distinctive gliding flight action.
High above a large bird, initially with the naked eye, thought of as Cormorant, but on checking it was a Diver – usually I associate these with skimming across the water.
Back through the woods where Goldcrests flitted in the twigs of the Ash, and a Grey Squirrel careered through the Bay tree.
Just outside the window as I type, two Blue Tits are having a scrap in the Buddleia before one pops its head into the bird box.