A glorious early morning, blue skies, a mass of newly emerged bright green leaves and birdsong galore.
The meadows are still covered with Cowslips, although the Bulbous Buttercup is starting to intrude, as are the tall delicate stems of Pale Flax, some of which are now topped with a delicate flower. Every now and then you come across patches of Early Purple Orchid, more pink than purple, contrasting with the yellow Cowslips. Singing noisily from above were 2 Skylarks, a tiny dark blob against the blue sky.
As I walked towards the gully, a Kestrel was hovering perfectly above, his head still, wings and feathers moving slightly to keep position, watching this is one of my favourite sights.
The dangling legs of St Mark’s Flies make this an easily recognisable insect, as was the 7-Spot Ladybird which was sat in the centre of a Daisy, covering the usual yellow fluff with its shiny orange and black spotted wing cases.
Towards the coast path hundreds of caterpillars of the Brown Tail moth are wandering – these have very irritating hairs so really are best avoided.
The flowers of the pea family coming out quickly with patches of the Kidney Vetch, of Horseshoe Vetch and of Common Vetch plus the Gorse.
Down towards the cliffs the Guillemots were on the ledges and 2 Cormorants flew high overhead. As I scanned the cliffs a Rock Pipit was perched amongst the pink Thrift flowers and the white Sea Campion, until it took flight singing beautifully.
A stunning male Yellowhammer sung from the tops of a Sycamore, Chiffchaffs were calling from amongst the Hawthorn, some of which is now has blossom whilst from the tight flowers of a Wayfaring Tree Common Whitethroats were in full voice. Swooping through were a few Swallows and a House Martin.