Although I could hear the call of Carrion Crow, I could not see them in the Small Copse despite the branches of Ash and Sycamore being bare. However, beneath the canopy and at the woodland margin several Winter Heliotrope were in flower. As I entered the Wares a Black Bird respond with flight and an alarm call. I was able to compare the grazed gully with the un-grazed coastal margins. The later were thick with Tor Grass and thus provided useful winter cover for Small Mammals and Insects. However, the tightly mown gully will not bring forth much variety in spring!
Just below the lowest mile marker a Great Black Back Gull appeared over the coastal drystone wall from the cliffs below. Looking up I saw its company overhead both heading west. It was another day of Shag activity with five seen travelling eastwards and two westward. One was observed to dive from the surface of the sea. Some forty or so Guillemots were huddle into their cave ledge whilst only for were seen upon the sea just beyond the waves. However, there was plenty of flight from cliff out to sea and back.
At the Gully Mouth our repurposed Xmas Scots Pine trees were firmly anchored in an erosion scar. I hope this natural barrier will prevent the occasional dog or walker that might use this former coast path route from aiding erosion. Nearby a Rock Pipit made its presence known. Likewise a Robin from a wind shaped pin cushion clump of coastal Blackthorn. A Wren flew typically low across the sward ahead of me as I climbed up slop to the Lighthouse. A Magpie's flight across the gully drew my eye to Lighthouse Road Bridge., where through the leafless trees and scrub I actually got to see the upper part of the bridge arch! Climbing up out of the gully above me a Buzzard briefly rode the thermals, only to then be sent inland by two Carrion Crow. Upon reaching the Stephenson Screen, in the sky above a Kestrel rode the wind with sweeping flight. In the wildlife garden I found evidence of Roe Deer in the form of their slot (footprints). Earlier in the gully dry Fox leavings suggested Rabbits had been in their diet!