Gulls glide skilfully
Barely a flap is needed
The wind is enough
Another instant sighting as I started my morning rounds today. This time, a pair of Swallows darting past the Learning Centre, the red flash of their heads catching my eye as they passed. Chiffchaffs were singing and Dunnocks were dancing on the walls as I made my way across the car park. It was quite the party atmosphere. Common Vetch was flowering purple and a liberal spread of white Hawthorn blossom completed the picture.
Walking past the timeline I heard a series of rapid clicks coming from just above me. A short investigation revealed the vocalist; a Robin. I take my hat off to those little creatures, they’ve got a lot of range. Beside the walls, patches of Three Cornered Leek were growing happily.
Heading into the woodlands, I was pleased to see the wet weather has managed to rejuvenate our parched fungal residents. Many Zoned Polypore, as well as what appeared to be a Hoof Fungus were making a comeback.
Emerging into a fresh sea breeze on the Diagonal Path, I headed down to the clifftops amidst the alarm chirrups of a Great Tit. You think they’d be used to me by now. At the Tilly Whim Caves, I took a moment to absorb the sights out to sea. A few Guillemots were skimming over the waves, their small stout bodies propelled by rapid wingbeats. Greater Black Backed Gulls patrolled the cliffs, gliding leisurely on their broad wings. A Rock Dove fluttered up to its perch on a ledge below, and stiff winged Fulmars skirted the sheer rocks at surprising speeds. You wouldn’t catch me doing that. Also reported were two Puffins floating in amongst the Guillemots and a Razorbill.
My observing was capped off by a single Herring Gull. Tilting its wings expertly, it rode an updraft of air and climbed several meters without moving forward, backward or flapping its wings. An amazing display of gliding skill and a welcome change from my usual interactions with these birds, the sneaky chip-stealers.