To the cliffs this morning for a change, the sea was sparkling and the sound of rippling water accompanied me as did the chugging of a boat full of divers off towards the wreck of the Kyarra.
On the rocks near the water a family of 5 Shags, the youngsters with much paler bellies than the adults, their backs, with a green sheen reflecting in the sun.
Otherwise a Herring Gull standing on a ledge, a few Feral Pigeons perched on an outcrop and Jackdaws near the top.
On the lower ledges Rock Pipits were flitting about, the flecked grey plumage blending in very well with the background.
The flowers of Rock Samphire are providing a pale greeny-yellow colour, the succulent leaves a pale green. In contrast, the Golden Samphire has dark green leaves covering the taller stems, while Sea Aster is a lilac-coloured dandelion looking flower!
From the Tamarisk, some of which is covered in delicate furry pink flowers, came the call of a Stonechat, as I searched the fronds a Chiffchaff was spotted and a few moments later two Wrens, easy to tell with their cocked tails.
The bright yellow flowers of Bristly Ox-tongue attracting the Drone Fly – Eristalis tenax, attractive in its tan and black markings.
A few butterflies to spot including Meadow Brown on the Fleabane, a Small Copper sunning itself in the bare path, while a blurr of wings was a Dingy Skipper, the off-white wing patches noticeable as it basked with its wings open. A burst of brilliant blue as an Adonis Blue landed on the yellow flower of Lesser Hawkbit and on the Buddleia a mass of Painted Ladies – definitely been a good year for these brightly coloured butterflies.
As I turned to look at an Elder tree, the tops of the twigs swaying with a Goldfinch on each. However on close inspection with binoculars, two of the finches were in fact Cirl Buntings, and one of them a very handsome male.
Yesterday evening I spotted a few Swifts, as well as a Tawny Owl as dusk arrived.