Investigating the centre gutters, presumably for insects, was a House Sparrow. Bumblebees visited those bramble flowers remaining although many had transformed into fruit buds. A pair of Blue Tits flitted amongst the Ash tree as I entered south Field. A Speckled Wood with tattered wing tips also put in an appearance here. South Field itself was dominated with rough Hawks Bit, although there are plenty of Pyramidal Orchids therein.
Over field 10 (where the cattle were grazing) thirty Jackdaws had a splinter pair whom were determinedly seeing off a small(ish) bird of prey, which I deduced to be a Peregrine as a fled for the cliffs. However, it is possible that this was in fact a Hobby as had been seen by Katy over lighthouse green. On the gully slopes I stood listening to differentiate as to whether it was Blackcap on Stonechat “chats” I heard. On this occasion I was rewarded with the view my “vicar of the bird world” or Stonechat! A pair of Goldfinches performed a brief verbal discourse and swirling dance before departing in different ways. Our glorious Song Thrush rang out its strong and elaborate song from the upper gully. Guillemot gargling could be heard from the upper gully whilst a Greater Blacked Back glided near the gully mouth.
As the sun rose more insect striations could be heard belonging to unidentified Grasshoppers. Even a Bloody Nosed Beetle put in an appearance. However, today’s dominant insect had to be the Meadow Brown, although Small Blues, Speckled Woods and Skippers made appearances.
Walking through the grazed sward of South Field I found Cowslip Stems still standing and fresh looking basal leaves! Increasingly flowering Yellow Wort can be seen, which after discussion with a school group I believe now should ultimately be renamed “Hilt Wort” due to its distinctive leaves!
I could not resist visiting Tilly Whim to see if the recent Dolphin was still evident, but I was relieved that it was not having been concerned it might have been tethered to the marker buoy!