The bounding Rabbits the first action of the morning, surprisingly agile as it jumped onto the top of the wall with what looked like no effort. From the Sycamore tree above the fantastic song of a Robin blasted forth as nearby a small flock of Goldfinches waited for him to finish before starting their singing!
Across to the coast via the woodland route where two Jays could be heard chuntering to each other, in amongst this was the delicate churring of Blue Tits and the calling of the Chiffchaff.
By the headland a Peregrine Falcon swept by, the shape on this occasion, making it easy to recognise even as a silhouette. Offshore the massive white wings of an adult Gannet caught my attention, as I watched another adult and one of last year’s youngsters also soared by – magnificent.
The smell of guano wafting up from the seabird ledges was very noticeable, as the number of eggs increases so does the amount of bird poo baking in the sun, so the smell is only going to get stronger in the next few weeks. A quick check on the cliff camera this morning – Great Black-backed Gull on its nest, 7 Razorbills and 240 Guillemots on the cliffs, and at least 10 eggs seen – not easy as the birds need to get up for positive id.
Back out on the National Nature Reserve the flowers are amazing. The fields of Cowslips a carpet of yellow, with a smattering of other species emerging amongst them including Pale Flax, Bulbous Buttercup, Crosswort and Dandelion, many of whom have now turned to clocks.
Although many have now gone over, the Early Spider Orchids are still showing well, as are the Green-winged and Early Purple Orchids.
The scratchy call of a Common Whitethroat contrasted with the melodious song of Willow Warbler and Blackcap, while the Stonechat pair in the gully were ‘chatting’ loudly.
A Wheatear perched on the rocky edge amongst a clump of newly flowering pink Thrift, a perfect pose for a picture if only I’d had a camera.
On the Blackthorn a silken web of Brown-tail moth caterpillars, these creatures are very irritating if touched so best avoided