The sound of Whitethroats singing loudly from the tops of the Blackthorn was the overwhelming song of the morning - the scratchy song catching the ear and on inspection the white throat vibrating as it sung.
A wonderful selection of flowers to enjoy across the National Nature Reserve, the meadows awash with the yellow Cowslips, although the most northern meadow are now seeing the emergence of the Bulbous Buttercup and Ribwort Plantain with some small patches of the delicate Pale Flax.
Along the hedgerows the Bluebells are in full colour – sadly this is not the best site for bluebells locally, but what we have are looking lovely. Amongst the undergrowth the pale pink Herb Robert and the white Ramson flowers, plus Forget-me-knots, Ground Ivy and a few Common Vetches.
A quick scan of the ground by the open cast quarry, noted 85+ Early Spider Orchids while nearby the Early Purple Orchids are providing a deep pink colour.
Hovering above the short turf by the cliffs was a Kestrel, the chestnut back catching the early morning sunlight, an amazing opportunity to watch and admire the way they hover.
On the water below the cliffs a scattering of Guillemots, while a count through the camera of the ledges saw 92 lower, 133 upper, with the first eggs spotted.
Also on the ledge directly below the camera a Great Black-backed Gull was sitting on a grassy nest.
Just starting to flower on the rock edge are patches of pink Thrift, a few Horseshoe Vetch flowers and the white Sea Campion.
Yesterday evening a Badger was trotting just outside the centre, the sound of its claws as it moved across the tarmac easily heard, as was the snort when it spotted me.
Pipistrelle Bats were fluttering after the moths that were on the wing.