A gorgeous morning to be out and about, with the sky almost cloudless and warm sunshine shining down.
Taking advantage of the warmth were 2 female Adders that were basking on the rock face above Tilly Whim, their bodies flattened against the limestone as they soaked up the rays. Both took a bit of searching for as their two tone brown zigzags blend so well with the background, one looking like a crack in the rock another like the frond of dead Bracken alongside.
Looking the other way out to sea allowed fantastic views of a Peregrine Falcon as it glided past. It was the swept back, slate grey wings that caught the attention as it flew through the group of Herring Gulls. The Peregrine turned and then glided overhead, its thin wings and chunky body making it unmistakable.
A few moments later a Kestrel floated into view, allowing a quick check of the differences between these two resident birds of prey. The Kestrel then proceeded to hover above the short turf of the downland before gliding off elsewhere as he searched for some breakfast.
Seabirds galore this morning with the main ledge packed with well over 150 Guillemots while another 50 or so were bobbing on the water, the growling sound wafting up from them as they conversed.
Amongst those on the water were 7 Razorbills, more obviously black and with thicker beaks than their auk relatives. A crested Shag was also on the sea while the Fulmars were zooming close to the cliffs and Great Black-backed Gulls glided by.
By the gully a very smart and brightly coloured Great Tit was singing attracting a second bird, they then chased through the tips of the branches.
The cackle of a Green Woodpecker, croak of two tumbling Ravens and the ‘quick-quick-slow’ song of a Chaffinch was ringing out alongside the ‘churr’ of Blue Tits, ‘chiff-chaff’ of a Chiffchaff and the ‘wheeze’ of a Greenfinch – spring is definitely here today!