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Sunday 11 February, 2018

A much improved morning after yesterday!

From the observation point I saw two Fulmar circuit off the sea cliffs. A third Fulmar called with disapproval when one of the flying pair attempted to land beside it. Eventually all three Fulmars took to flight. Fifty odd Jackdaw were seen in a flock only to disperse themselves to perch amongst Tamarisk, Holm Oak and cliff top grass. I witnessed the raft of Guillemots upon the sea increase to fourteen, however, throughout a pair of Razorbills were amongst the throng. Several birds were seen to depart the cliff, however, the cave ledge itself was empty. A single Herring Gull sat upon the water off Tilly Whim. A Peregrine Falcon flew west along the sea cliff to perch high above and beyond the cave ledge. The falcon predominantly looked west except when preening its wings. I was able to get a closer view bringing us within metres of each other. I suspected the falcon flinched at the appearance of my figure beside the drystone wall rather than because of the of Jackdaw flurry.

At the mouth a Rock Pipit flitted between the rock pools and sea spray. Green fleshy waxy and succulent like leaves coloured the clifftop and included that of Sea beet.  

As I progressed uphill towards the light house a male and female Stonechat passed silently in front of me only to then perch in the scrub and observe me passing whilst they flicked their tails.

Over in Saxon Field I heard the song of a Song Thrush building. However, again it was the Chaffinches which were most evident. Near lighthouse green two male Great Tits exchanged calls over some twenty metre. A similar situation at the Small Copse led to at least one Great Tit retreating into the Blackthorn. Dunnock were only heard thanks to their see saw call, likewise a cock Pheasant called unseen above the gully.

In the Wildlife Garden Pond I found over a score of pale empty discarded Great Pond Snail shells spiral shaped like a Whippy Ice-cream!


  By P.Jones

Todays Information

Weather

Min Temp: 0.5
Max Temp: 8.4
Gusts: 38
Rainfall: 7.1
Outlook: Wintry showers

Media

Image title: Stonechat
Image by: S. Kidner
Audio File 1: Dunnock
Audio File 2: Chaffinch