Shags are clumsy clownish birds, in the air they’re quite inept
Beneath the waves they’re graceful, as swimmers they’re most adept
A beautiful sunny morning for a stroll around the park. I entered through Long Meadow to the sound of Dunnocks, Robins and another unidentified bird. After a little searching, I found the vocalist. A Blue Tit again. Those birds have an incredibly long set list of songs. Hawthorn and Blackthorn blossom continues to blanket the car park and hedgerows. Very pretty.
Approaching Large Copse, a Wood Pigeon fluttered in an arc overhead, and the alarm chirrups of a Great Tit sounded to my left. On Taskers Meadow I heard a series of non-descript tweets. Before long the mystery bird uttered the distinctive call of a Chaffinch moments after I zeroed in on it with my binoculars. Cowslips are also emerging here, the park is covered in them now. In the distance, the Yaffles of Green Woodpeckers were audible, as well as the drumming of their Greater Spotted Woodpecker relatives.
Another unidentified call sent me combing the hedgerows of Saxon Field. After another game of hot and cold with the source of the sound, I discovered a Wren amidst the undergrowth. That’s another birdsong memorised, only 225 more to go.
Bluebells poked their heads out of the scrub at the path edges as I approached Centenary Meadow. While crossing it, I admired the spectacular displays of the Skylarks overhead. Sorry to keep going on about them, but I think they’re amazing. In the middle of the footpath a few tenacious patches of Crow Garlic were struggling to grow. I admire their zeal. There were also new patches of Charlock at the field margins.
Passing by Small Copse there was an abundance of Plantain. I passed by the mile markers and headed round along the Clifftop Trail. A single Adder basked above the Tilly Whim caves. On the water, a raft of around 50 Guillemots floated, with an equivalent number on the ledge. A Shag made an impressive landing on the cliffs, approaching at high speed before decelerating at the last moment. I had no idea they could be so graceful.
Further reports Redstart – the first of the year, 2 Yellow Wagtails a Willow Warbler and Swallows swooping over.