A gorgeous early morning for this April Fool’s Day, bright sunshine and wispy white clouds – however as my early patrol progressed a grey smothering of cloud was rolling in from the west.
The wonderful tinkling sound of Goldfinches was the first main song to be heard, the sight of these finches as they perched in the tops of the Hawthorn a delight, the sunshine catching their golden wing flashes.
From a nearby Elder came the ‘seeping’ calling of a Greenfinch, while across the country Park the quick-quick-slow rattling of a Chaffinch could be heard, often from amongst the delicate white blossom of the Blackthorn.
As I wandered across the downland the song of a Yellowhammer drew my attention, this bunting perched atop some yellow flowering Gorse, a superb sight and sound form what is one of my favourite birds.
Overhead the musical song of a Skylark was being drilled down, at least 3 were singing, one of which fluttered gently down towards the ground landing and disappearing amongst the freshly growing grass.
Nearby one of the Hereford cattle had a Jackdaw perched on his back as this bird took advantage of the ginger fur, pulling clumps out to take to back to its nest.
As I was returning east the calling of Chiffchaffs made me look through the binoculars, only to find Robins, Stonechat, Blue Tit and Chiffchaff all within the circular vision.
Flying high overhead were 2 Cormorants, these large birds barely flapped their wings, as they glided, the white breeding marks visible under their wings as they went.
A Peregrine Falcon bombed towards the cliffs diving as it reached them, while a Raven croaked loudly as it passed.
Soaring around were 3 Fulmars, but no sign of any Guillemots or Razorbills first thing.
A gorgeous early morning for this April Fool’s Day, bright sunshine and wispy white clouds – however as my early patrol progressed a grey smothering of cloud was rolling in from the west.
A Speckled Wood and a Peacock butterfly basking in the sunshine