This morning I was accompanied our volunteer Karianne from the Netherlands. Around the car park margins we had the reliable Great Tits and Blue Tits and a family of six Long Tailed Tits were observed in a Sweet Chestnut. The tree itself retained a few leaves. Both a Robin and Grey Squirrel were observed beside lighthouse road. Karianne was amused by one Squirrel as it hung upside down by its rear legs whilst munching upon something. Another apparently tried to race her car on her way in this morning!
Low cloud sat just above sea upon the horizon. Sun shone illuminate the cloud which Karianne referred to as a Dutch sky, such as was painted by the Dutch Master Artists. Despite the cloud we had full visibility of the Isle of Wight and the lamplight of St. Catherine’s Head Lighthouse. Beside the diagonal path both Robins and Wrens were noted flitting between thorn and Gorse the later displaying a few colourful flowers?
Approximately forty five Guillemots were huddle into the cliff cave ledge. We saw a few fly out to sea whilst amongst the trio upon the water there were examples of both winter and breeding plumages. A Shag flew in from the west to perch below the Guillemots. Initially only one Raven was seen and heard calling from the tip of the lower mile marker. However, under observation it was clear another bird was calling whilst the first was preening. Eventually the duo flew off together towards the castle.
Within the short sward below the mile marker were some rather flattened and twisted yellow earth tongue fungi which we suspect was a Meadow Coral fungi. Elsewhere in the short turf a small black beetle with blue tint again in appeared to be a Mint Leaf Beetle. Above the quarr the calls of a Green Woodpecker in flight rang out, whilst the shriek of Jays and the squawk of Magpies were also noted.
Beside the Centre the bird ringers saw Redwings fly overhead, rung some seven Long Tailed Tits as well as: Linnet; Goldfinches; Chiff Chaffs; Song Thrush; Black Bird; Blackcap; and Goldcrest.