A brief “pee-wit” call overhead brought my attention to Lapwing passing overhead. At least three Swallows and four House Martins passed overhead. I heard the distinctive call of a Dartford Warbler from amongst gorse. Whitethroat, Chiff Chaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Skylark and Yellow Hammer all made their presence known, at least audibly.
From the coast path a Fulmar, Greater Black-backed Gulls were in evidence as with the usual Jackdaw and Rock Doves. Today some 15 Guillemots rafted on the water whilst on eight were where they should be upon the ledge with their eggs. Fishing Vessel WH368 chugged off the cliffs and lifted pots throwing back undersize crabs and keeping a few lobsters I believed.
Whilst there were plenty of insects upon the wing, only a few did I have time to identify. Interestingly a cluster of three unidentified flies flew in a mating ball or wrestle! Several first instars (young) Bush-crickets leapt about. Several small micro moths and day flying moths were on the wing and an Orange-tip appeared by the learning Centre whilst two Common Blues appear on the Wares. Within a small patch of “cuckoo’s spit” on a blade of grass a Shield Bug was hiding.
A slight breeze moved the tips of the Holm Oak and Tamarisk a made a slight whistling as it passed through the mile marker posts.
Again I searched in vain for a sighting of Adders above Tilly Whim steps; however, Harry suggested the Adders migrated further inland as the year progressed. Seeking reptiles under metal bonfire sheets I only disturbed Centipedes and Woodlice. Our cliff tops are decorated with cushions of Thrift, Kidney Vetch and Horseshoe Vetch. Between the mile markers the Early English Gentian opened to benefit from the suns rays. Early Purple Orchids were visible above the quarr and even amongst open ground of otherwise knee high sward in the goat plot.