This morning I headed out to the farmland to replace some connectors on the water supply, as I sat on the dried mud the wonderful sound of a Skylark accompanied my fiddling.
From the leaf covered Hawthorn beside me, came a blast of a Common Whitethroat, a scratchy tune, looking up the white throat could be seen moving in and out as it sung.
As this bird finished a Blackcap took up the mantle, the fluty song tracked down to the top of the Blackthorn, where the greyish bird was perched, his black cap being ruffled by the wind.
The Cowslips in the meadows are now being overtaken by the growing grass, in amongst which the Bulbous Buttercups are starting to show – bright yellow heads mostly closed up, showing one of the distinguishing feature of down turned sepals.
A few bright pink pea-like Common Vetch flowers now in bloom, while the yellow-orange Bird’s-foot Trefoil also beginning to emerge.
Still not too late to see the Early Spider Orchids, although many are now turning pale and turning to seed, others are still looking good with the flower still ‘furry’ brown. Patches of pink Early Purple Orchids in good numbers often alongside the Cowslips making for a lovely colour contrast.
Great views of Goldfinches as they flit and tinkle from Bramble shrub to Sycamore tree, while a male Chaffinch sings loudly from the Elm - its small leaves serrated at the edges.
Lots of activity along the cliffs with Fulmars soaring, Shags on the water and the ledges full of Guillemots.
Unfortunately the Ravens are being spotted on the ledge, harassing the Guillemots, in an attempt to discover and take any of the newly laid eggs.