It was not a t-shirt and shorts morning which was a refreshing change! Our Meadows moved in waves in the wind, however, a feint whistle through the mile markers was only heard up close. Tonight's bird boat has been cancelled and last night was choppy but five Puffins, Swifts and House Martins, a Gannet a two juvenile and one adult Peregrine were seen.
The Herford Cattle were rather vocal and the youngster sprightly in field ten. Indeed some browsing must have been occurring as I heard a branch being shacked and snapped. Knapweed with forked antler like petals and a bulbous flower base. A Scabious and Agrimony flower stems in south field were a metre tall!
Amongst the more subtle flowers were that of: Madder with pale yellow? five petal star flowers which had climbed through the flower less coastal gorse; spikes again pale yellow Wood Sage flowers which were rather orchid like trumpets with lower lips; Sea Spinach pale green flower spikes.
Despite the strong breeze a few butterflies persisted against the breeze with Meadow Browns and Gate Keepers having a go! Whilst several day flying micro moths flitted by I found a Burnet Moth cocoon upon the stem of a Plantain!
Upon Tilly Whim Ledge a Rock Pipit took a breather as two Shag headed Weymouth ward! Upon the sea I found two Razorbills amongst the eighty Guillemots rafted with fifty metres of the shore upon a choppy sea. Perched above the Guillemot cave was a Greater Black Backed Gull being higher up than often seen, whilst below some one hundred Guillemots crammed into their cave ledge. At the Learning Centre (via the cliff camera) we have viewed Guillemot chicks, with their distinctive eye stripes. There has been a distinct absence of Ravens for weeks (which should have meant less Guillemot egg predation), however, this led to my studying what turned out to be only a pair of Carrion Crow beside the mile markers. However, I was rewarded by catching the flight of a Kestrel coming from the Goat Plot. A pair of Goldfinches briefly popped onto the south field cattle trough