A flat calm ocean reminds me of the fabled sleeping giant
Gentle at rest
But all attest
When woken it’s defiant
My journey this morning started off very nicely, with a suspected Field Blewitt emerging from a grassy verge in the car park, as well as a single Bulbous Buttercup bravely (or perhaps foolishly) struggling against the frost. I was accompanied by Karianne, one of our fine volunteers on my stroll and we sauntered down to the timeline in search of more fungi, though none were to be found. We did hear the chuckling tones of a Green Woodpecker from the woods behind us, and between the tendrils of a Bramble a Dunnock was spotted.
Caravan Terrace seemed devoid of birdlife when we arrived, though we did catch an excellent display of acrobatics from a Grey Squirrel as it vaulted between a pair of Holm Oaks. Ahead the unmistakable screech of a Jay peeled out over the Coast Path, with the bird itself clearly visible in all its garish glory.
After this, we took a moment to stare out to sea, the ocean a gorgeous flat calm. This endless plane of water stretched as far as the eye could see, and my mood seemed to change to match this peaceful vista.
A small raft of 10 Guillemots were bobbing gently on the water, and as we watched a Shag flapped in from the west. It skimmed so close over the floating Guillemots the feathers of its wings were practically brushing their heads. When we passed over the ledge there was a sudden exodus, with around 50 more Guillemots flying out to sea in a spectacular display of group flying. A few Jackdaws were skulking around the clifftops, and out of nowhere a Peregrine Falcon lunged at the flock, its talons grasping nothing but air as the group scattered. Every day here is a life and death struggle.
Several Gorse bushes were in flower, with one such plant sheltering a Wren. A Greater Black Backed Gull was gliding slowly past, and several Rock Pipits dived over the edge as we approached them. The final leg of our journey revealed some excellent fungi sightings, with Lighthouse Slope sprouting Common Puffballs in profusion, with several husks of spent Grassland Puffballs visible as well. Finally, a rich red fungus which I believe was a Scarlet Waxcap, a wonderful splash of colour in the increasingly wintery landscape.