A very grey early morning with a slight drizzle falling. Off towards the Castle where a flock of Long-tailed Tits were flitting from bush to bush, they were first spotted in the Elms, swaying on the branches, their long tails acting as perfect balancers.
Further around the corner a Bullfinch called, I eventually spotted this bird as it perched in the middle of a large rambling patch of Old Man’s Beard, despite the bright pink chest this bird was really difficult to see.
Down at the coast the group of juvenile Herring Gulls were sitting on the cliff edge, their dull brown feather markings making them very easily to distinguish from the smart white, grey and black adults which were gliding past.
The wonderful sight of a Fulmar as it quartered the cliff edge, zooming close in and then away again, the sound of cackling coming from another Fulmar which was nestled in a nook, a fantastic sound.
For a change not a single Auk to be seen on either the ledges or on the water, but a couple of Shags were gliding past, and one on the water, this one with a very distinct crest protruding from its head.
Dashing overhead was a Peregrine Falcon, the chunky slate grey body easy to recognise as it zoomed over.
The diagonal path is being cut and cleared of scrub and regrowth today, the volunteers will be enjoying the warmth (and smoke) of the bonfire. Along this path were 20 Jackdaws, nearly all stood in pairs on the rails, their grey heads and black caps contrasting well.
The strong smell of Fox wafted as I disturbed a strand or two of Tor Grass, while in the woods the snuffle holes of Badgers could easily be seen and a Grey Squirrel bounded along the trunks of the Goat Willow.