A thick layer of fog covered the fields this morning, and from it fell a gentle drizzle - the grass underfoot wet as I walked.
A burst of yellow from a clump of Cowslips, these lovely yellow flowers beginning to cover sections of the meadows, but not yet near the peak. Nearby a Primrose patch, the paler lemon petals easily visible, while the pinky-red flowers of the Polyanther was alongside. Having seen most of this family I made the short walk to see the taller and more robust False Oxlip.
The sound of a Chiffchaff was accompanying my wander, but not seen due to the fog making visibility difficult. The same problem occurred when searching through binoculars, the scrub for a Yellowhammer, which could be heard singing ‘little-bit-o-bread-no-cheeeese’, usually the bright yellow head and habit as perching at the top of the bush makes them fairly easy to spot – but not today.
Many of the Blackthorn bushes are now covered in blossom, the delicate white petals making it look a bit like snow! However others are now going over and looking more pink, while one or two have got leaves emerging. It is the opposite with Hawthorn, quite a few now with leaves, the blossom not arriving until May.
Four Skylarks hovering just above wall height, perhaps squabbling over territory or mates, but a great opportunity to watch them, as usually they are just a brown dot high in the sky.
The glorious bright yellow flowers of Gorse brightening up the greyness, as did a Long-tailed Tit as it flitted between the prickly spikes, the long tail waving as it balanced.
Hopping down to the ground was a Robin, bringing the Hairy Violets and Early Spider Orchids to my attention, along with the Daisies and closed heads of the Dandelions.
A movement at the bottom of the hedge made me look more carefully and there was a Rabbit, slowly hopping away, an Easter bonus for me as this species is now rarely spotted here.
Down on the cliffs the ledge is bereft of Guillemots, with just a few on the water, their breeding not beginning for another few weeks.
As I looked at the flowers in the car park (Bluebell, Grape Hyacinth, Lesser Celandine and Hairy Bittercress) a Roe Deer trotted past.