Hunting birds are on patrol, danger is ever near
For the small of wing
It must be quite a thing
To always live in fear
A chilly morning but balanced nicely by the warming rays of the sun. Walking to the park I heard the unmistakable drumming of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Entering the car park to the rattling tones of a Magpie, I spotted the usual suspects amongst the trees. Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins were all to be seen and heard.
Walking down to the castle I came to the cage bird feeder and stumbled upon a veritable dinner party of birds. Two Chaffinches, a pair of Dunnocks, another Great Tit and a Robin were taking turns dining. If you want to get the most of your feeders, make sure to top them up regularly. Birds are less likely to frequent a sporadic food source.
Along the clifftop trail I noticed some impressively large waves, despite the low wind, and made a mental note to check the blowhole. Overhead a large flock of Jackdaws (around 30) circled above the cliffs, with a few Wood Pigeons mixed in. From below a bird of prey approached. I only got a brief glimpse of it, and I would guess by location that it was a Peregrine Falcon. The flock reacted immediately, banking away from the raptor before melting away into the trees on the Cliffside.
A trio of Razorbills floated peacefully on the water below as I passed the Tilly Whim caves, a Rock Pipit nestled on the cliffs above. A Shag flew past, skimming close above the water. I tried to follow its flight, but as it passed through the reflection of the sun on the water I lost track of it amidst the dazzling glow.
When I reached the blowhole it was indeed active. Waves were crashing into it so hard that they were overtopping it. The spray would emerge, then be doused by water pouring in from above.
Quite a sight.