Another quite beautiful early morning, as the sun rose providing a glorious orange across the sky, with barely a breath of wind blowing across the Park.
From above me, came the sound of a Raven, cronking loudly as it displayed for all to see. A few flaps of the wings then tumbling down with wings behind, gliding up then repeating the display. If it wasn’t for their perchance for baby Guillemots I would appreciate these massive birds more.
On the water a small bizarre of Guillemots, about 20 bobbing up and down with the swell, while on the ledges another 150+ were quickly counted, more were probably around the corner which I can‘t see from the cliffs.
Skimming low across the water were 3 Shags, all heading east and none yet with their spring crests, so despite the weather being so mild, not all the birds are duped into breeding activity yet.
From the Bramble along the edge of the path came the partial song of a Robin, the bright red chest making this bird easy to see, while the Wren which was also calling was much more difficult to find as it was skulking low amongst the brown branches of the Blackthorn and the ropes of the Old Man’s Beard.
Some areas of Gorse is now covered with yellow flowers, the petals all furry but only a very faint smell coming off them today, while the Winter Helitrope is producing a strong almondy smell from its pale pink flowers.
As I checked the time on the Victorian sundial which is on the side of the Castle the high pitched calls of Goldcrests were coming from the Holm Oaks to the south, eventually they were tracked down to some of the highest branches, these tiny birds constantly disappearing and flitting behind the green leaves.