Magical out on the Park this morning, with Spring well and truly with us. The constant songs of birds filling the air.
The gorgeous fluting song of a Skylark came from above the still soggy meadows, the most continuous of the songs heard as I walked around this morning. The Skylark was located after some searching, a dark dot against the blue sky, on changing my angle of observation the underneath of this bird appeared light instead.
From the hedgerow the song of a Chaffinch and the more squeaky one of a Dunnock competed for air space, the protagonists were also both perched in the same Hawthorn bush.
Dropping into the tops of the dead sticks of Teasel and Burdock was a small charm of Goldfinches, the yellow, red, black and white colours showing up well against the dull brown of the plants.
Out on the downland the bright yellow flowers of the Gorse is starting to show in profusion, while perched on the top of a green prickly stem was a Yellowhammer. This male a magnificent specimen, brilliant yellow with rusty brown rump area, he was calling quietly a single peep.
Lower down the slopes on the top of a mass of Bramble were 3 birds, one Wren and 2 Stonechats. The male Stonechat proudly showing off his black, white and orange colouration, occasionally flitting to a different perch, while the duller coloured female watched possibly deciding upon his attractiveness.
From the ground a Meadow Pipit rose, calling as it flew off, to land on the top of recently cleared scar bank.
A quick check of Tilly Whim saw a large female Adder basking in her usual spot, and a swarm of Winter Gnats hovering around the entrance. Looking to sea and the cliffs there were no Guillemots to be seen today.
Along the Diagonal Path the ‘wheezing’ song of Greenfinches easily heard, as was the single squeak of the Bullfinch. A spectacular bright pink male sat on the end of the branches of a Holly bush, with 2 well marked but less obviously coloured females in the same bush.