A complete opposite of yesterday for the early patrol, gone was the sun and in its place a carpet of grey across the sky, making for a very dull start. The lack of light made wildlife watching quite difficult as the contrast between colours disappears so even the brightest Bullfinch became difficult to identify!
A couple of gates needed checking so off across the fields, which after yesterday’s 6mm of rain are extremely soggy as the water drains across the clay layers. As I slid across the grass a Green Woodpecker took flight, the large yellow rump visible as it flew with its characteristic undulating movement, calling loudly as it went until landing on sloping branches of an Ash tree.
Into the woods were the calling of Goldcrests could be heard all around me, seeing these tiny birds was another matter as they blended into the greeny-grey backdrop. Eventually one was standing on a branch of the Hazel, so close that binoculars were no use! Then more moved through the thick shiny green leaves of Euonymus.
Looking out over the landslip a Sparrowhawk was spotted in flight, doing its typical ‘flap-flap-flap–glide’ movement as it travelled, this dark brown bird disappearing amongst the spiny branches of the Black Pines.
To the cliffs to watch the Guillemots, only about 66 on the ledges, that I could see, but another 30 on the water with more flying in groups going round in large circles, so constant movement from these black and white birds.
A quick check on the Hereford cattle who are now in the ‘Lighthouse’ field grazing on the rough Tor grass amongst other plants, their job for the next couple of weeks is to improve the grassland for butterflies, other insects and flowers reducing the amount of tough grass and scrub.
As I returned to the centre a Robin was perched on the branch of a Bay Tree and a Wren flitted from the low Brambles as a Dunnock called from the Privet hedge.