This morning’s highlight was that of close view of a resting Peregrine Falcon on the cliff top. I had a clear view so as to observe the Peregrines majestic posture, striped breast, white neck ruff, yellow eye ring and yellow beak margin. Another cliff clinger today was that of a Shag approximately half way up the from the sea. Over the water I briefly glimpsed of a Greater Black Backed Gull heading west and what I believed to be a Fulmar.
A quartet of Jackdaws cheekily sat atop the cliff top stone inscription which stated:”Please protect the wildfowl and other birds. No guns or sporting dogs are allowed…” Shortly the Jackdaws were part of a flock ten times their number circling then clinging to the wind battered cliff face. A Great Tit seeking scraps at the castle bird feeder reminded me I must top it up.
A pair of Red Slugs (arion rufus) was huddled together with what I assumed to be an egg mass between them. Most slugs prefer to eat dead vegetation and fungus, some even eat earth worms and can live for a year. Looking vulnerably exposed upon the close grassed turf was a two inch long Fox Moth Caterpillar. By its size I suspected it would soon form its cocoon soon, that’s if it does not get eaten! Meanwhile the wind whistle through the measured mile marker posts. One Speckled Wood butterfly fluttered in dappled sunlight beneath the branch tips of a Hawthorn bush. Earwig sadly crushed in Stephenson screen door.
A snail tucked into the decaying fruit of a Stinking Iris pod, whilst another such plant further along displayed fresh Orangey / Red fruit. Walking the coast path I had occasional glimpses of flowers provided by Ragwort, Birds foot Trefoil, Gorse and Bind Weed. Whilst Valerian grew out of the castle walls (beyond our reach) the castle terrace and surroundings showered some flowers Lavender, Buddleia, Ox Eye Daisy, Fleabane, Bladder Campion and Tansy (with its feathery aromatic leaves).