After the heavy rain of last night a few puddles were scattered across the landscape, and in one a large Wood Pigeon was having a bath throwing water around and shaking and flapping.
Towards the gully the cacophony of bird song was the most noticeable feature with the loudest being the tiny Wren closely followed by Blackbirds and Song Thrushes both pouring out a variety of songs.
A great deal of searching eventually revealed a Blackcap, the black capped male perched on the top of a Hawthorn having emerged from the mat of Old Man’s Beard.
Some of the other birds to be identified form their songs were Chaffinch, Robin, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Dunnock. All were difficult to find even though they were singing loudly and were amongst the leafless bare branches.
Near the lighthouse a Chiffchaff was flitting amongst the fronds of the Tamarisk, a good view was possible allowing me to see the greenish colour and pale eye-stripe.
On the ground the flowers are starting to grow, the basal rosettes of Early Spider and Early Purple Orchids showing well against the grass, while Early Scurvy Grass and Common Whitlow Grass are now in flower.
As I got to the clifftop a Peregrine Falcon glided past me, the grey back, swept back wings and chunky body easily seen as was the black moustache.
On the water a group of about 30 Guillemots were bobbing with 6 Razorbills, from nearby the sound of more Razorbills could be heard, these were spotted on a low rock mating, the growling only stopping when a third Razorbill arrived and interrupted!
Gliding around were 3 Fulmars an occasional cackle as they passed another which was laid in small nook of the cliff face.
From a patch of bare earth a Mining Bee emerged, flying off too fast for me to be sure what species.