Adders basking in the sun, black diamonds on their backs
A grassy knoll bathed in sunshine’s the best place to relax
A cold sunny morning today with fantastic visibility and high cirrostratus clouds softly blanketing parts of the sky. My favourite kind of weather. The car park was resonating with the sounds of Great Tits, Chaffinches, Magpies and Robins as I crossed over to Long Meadow. A few Lesser Celandine flowers were blooming on the verges beside the path, and the distant yaffle of Green Woodpeckers emanated from the bottom of the field.
In the branches of a Sycamore tree, I spied a Jay, its pink body with black and blue patches on the wings very distinctive. It sat silent in the tree as I walked past, which was nice since its call is quite harsh and grating to be honest.
Turning right into the woodlands I passed a patch of Hairy Violets, and caught the notes of several Blackbirds singing within the trees. On the logs lining the path the vivid red Scarlet Elfcap fungus was a striking display of colour beside the browns and greens of the forest floor. Patches of Wild Garlic leaves are coming up fast as well.
The Drumming of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers provided an accompaniment to my walk back through the woods to the castle. Shortly before arriving at the timeline, a Wood Pigeon swooped down into the path heading straight for me. As it passed under a branch it braked abruptly, hovering in the air before me for a split second before flapping off in the opposite direction. I love seeing little moments like that.
In the Holm Oaks along Caravan Terrace, a Goldcrest flitted in and out of the foliage, it took me some time following its quick movements before I could get a good look at it. Along the Clifftop Trail Herring Gulls glided peacefully by me.
A Dunnock was singing atop a patch of briar as I approached the Tilly Whim Caves. At least 4 Adders were basking in the sunshine, slowly slithering across the grassy bank. If I was an Adder, I would have been very keen to join them
The Guillemots were out in force again, over 100 between the raft and the ledge. Those on the water were more spread out than usual, in a patchwork arrangement rather than a line.