A damp and dull and foggy morning for an early walk, walking through the fields the splashing of mud and puddles underfoot the main sounds accompanying my patrol.
In the scrub, a quick movement of a Wren, its short erect tail noted as it went. From above it, a Dunnock was singing, the slightly weak song easily identifiable as was the really strong song of the Robin.
Out on the back of the downs the water is now producing our winter stream, draining down the shallow dip and into the gully, a bit more water and the water will tumble over the cliffs.
Flying past just at cliff height, was a group of 7 Gannets. 6 of these gleaming white backs with jet black wing-tips soaring gracefully through the air. The slightly angled wings dipping down as it flew. The other Gannet was this year’s youngster, an all over brown with a few white speckles.
Further east near the observation point, a Fulmar was soaring, the thin straight wings a very different flying method than the Herring Gull and Gannets.
On the ledges and on the water Guillemots galore, their little brown and white bodies bobbing on the water, alongside a few of the much blacker Razorbills were showing.
The Hereford Cattle munching the grass in the Lighthouse field, this is essential management which allows the retention of the short downland plateau, which allows flowers and insects to thrive.
The Work Party this morning are also taking part in management tasks out on the downs cutting and clearing and burning the Gorse, Bramble and Blackthorn regrowth – why not join them every Wednesday 10am – 1pm.