As the sun peeked out from underneath the grey blanket of cloud, the shafts of sunlight flooded onto the water producing a beautiful colouring effect of blues, purples, oranges and golds.
Flying through this patch of colour was a flock of Guillemots, their black and white bodies flitting as they whirred. As I looked back at the main ledge on the cliffs, another 100 or so of these auks were standing upright, almost all are now in their breeding plumage and out of what used to be called ‘winter’ plumage.
Skimming the water was a Cormorant, larger than the usual Shags, 2 of which were standing on a low rock.
As I turned and looked along the coast a Peregrine Falcon zoomed past, moving eastwards at speed until it disappeared around the corner. At this point a second Peregrine emerged, moving much more slowly, allowing me a more detailed look, showing off the yellow eye ring, chunky body and yellow feet as it banked.
Another bird of prey was spotted above the gully, as a Kestrel hovered waiting for some movement below in the hope of some breakfast, so many differences to be seen between these two species.
Lowering the binoculars I spotted some unusual positioned brown lumps, which on inspection were two Roe Deer, a male and female both browsing on the Gorse, nosing amongst the spikes and yellow flowers.
Overhead a flock of Goldfinches, tinkled as they flew from the clump of Blackthorn until they landed amongst the Wild Clematis the sun catching on their gold wing flashes.
In the Field Maple near the Centre a flock of Goldcrests were calling loudly, their high pitched calls easily detectable above the other sounds of the morning.
Last night trundling across the path was a Badger, while eyes reflecting in the torch light was a Fox.
On returning to the Centre a few rogue cow pats alerted me to the group of 4 escaped Hereford cattle, since returned to the correct field!