Gannets: I saw a steady trickle of Gannets heading towards the Solent counting eight in my brief observations. On Sunday Hamish estimated the passage of 1200. Today I learnt that there are two rock island colonies (Les Etacs [Garden Rocks] & Ortac) off Alderney (Channel Island) which together have had a seven and half thousand Gannet population. Those birds we have seen may simply be coming and going from breakfast missions! One was close enough for me to clearly see it “nicotine” stained facial markings.
Beneath the cliff nesting bird colonies on a sea ledge a pair of Cormorants shared their rest point with Guillemots. One Cormorant had its wings raised and extended so to dry them in the sun. Today I found the four Razorbills much easier to pick out amongst the raft of some sixty Guillemots. One Razorbill looked almost injured, however, I believe I had one wing part open and extended deliberately to aid floating and active dabbling as part of its preening.
Cliff top vegetation included “periscopes” of fresh Honeysuckle tendrils extending twenty centimetres through and above the Blackthorn scrub. At the Tilly Whim ledge viewpoint a cluster of Kidney Vetch had flowered. Below the globe there was a singular clump of Thrift which has ventured inland of the coast path! In addition a neighbouring Elder had but one Elderflower head open. Wild Carrot displayed sizeable compound flower heads on the cliff top haven.
Flies, still to be identified, were seen basking in the sun upon dry stone walls whilst brief glimpses of fluttering Butterflies were had. However, at least one of these was a red Admiral. Bloody-nosed Beetle larvae were seen on the coast path looking like large Ladybird larvae, although monotone in colour.
Again the castle bird feeder has be emptied of seed which means it has lasted only three days! One Swallow passed me whilst on the coast path as did and eye level Greater Black Backed Gull.