It’s a cool and fresh morning than of late as I start the diary walk with a jumper on! As I put my shoes on, purple flowers from the Stinking Iris stand out, while Cuckoo Spit from the Froghopper is seen on Meadow Vetchling. Walking on Common Mallow flower is seen as a Wren and Wood Pigeon are heard amongst the trees.
Taking the Timeline, Goldfinches, Herring Gulls, Robin and a Chiffchaff are heard above me, as I spot Smooth Sow-thistle. Before the castle I then head left onto the Clifftop Trail, where Black Mustard and Bracken are growing fast, Hemp-agrimony, Rough Hawkbit, white flowers from Elder are also seen along the path. Fauna seen and heard: Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Red Admiral on a Red Valerian, Lots more Cuckoo spit on Tamarisk, Meadow Pipet, Cormorant, Blue Tits, Guillemots on the water, couple of Razorbills, Fulmars gliding in and out, Rock Pigeons, Shags, Jackdaws, and a Wren singing away as I watch the seabirds.
Continuing past the observation point, the Whitebeams are starting to leaf slowly, Agrimony and Lady’s Bedstraw spotted near the Dolphine Hide. Thrift provides a colour of pink along the cliffside, Horseshoe Vetch is seen, while a Swollen-thighed Beatle is on Field Bindweed. Also spotted are Guillemots in their cave, Herring Gulls, and a Dunnock singing away on top of European Gorse.
Walking back up towards the Learning Centre via the Diagonal Path, a Common Pill Woodlouse, a couple of fast flying butterflies what I believe were a Small Heath and a Meadow Brown (though the butterflies to quick for proper verification), and another a few more Red Admirals were identified. Within the copse a Chiffchaff, Wren and Firecrest were heard and spotted amongst the Holm Oak, Sycamore and Ash trees. While in one of the Ash trees in the car park a few Magpies are screeching and a Crow are spotted in there.