A very different patrol this morning even though the route was the same, the weather was very different – windy and very grey, and the different ‘wildlife’ activity was noted.
The yaffling of a Green Woodpecker the first sound of the day to be recognised, and as it flew towards the short grassland turf the yellow rump and green wings were easily spotted.
Along the meadow edge the Blackthorn and encrusted with Lichen, the furry fronds of the sticky out from the branch, which was being used as a walkway by a Dunnock.
Flitting through the hedgerow was a Chiffchaff, the pale colouring blending in well with the background, but once it started singing its typical ‘chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff’ call, recognition was easy.
The trees are starting to come into bud, the large not yet sticky buds of Horse Chestnut still tightly closed, in contrast to the Sycamore which are starting open slightly.
The gentle ‘cooing’ of Wood Pigeon wafting down from the thick crown of the Black Pine, and a couple of Long-tailed Tits, were dangling off the branches.
The wonderful sound of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, drumming from its usual dead Sycamore branch, which is full of drilled holes.
On looking high in the trees a Mistle Thrush was spotted perched tall and erect on the London Plane.
The song of a Chaffinch was competing with the churrs of a Blue Tit and the many different songs of a Great Tit that was exercising in its lungs.
Along the coast 3 Fulmars were soaring superbly swinging in and out of the cliffs, while skimming over the water Shags. Bobbing on the sea 8 Razorbills were amongst the 37 or Guillemots.
Through the woods a Sparrowhawk silently flew, sweeping between the trees as it went.