A lovely spring morning, the sunshine bursting through the cloud firing on a patch of Primroses which seem to be recovering after the snow and ice, their yellow flowers sheltered along the cliff wall.
From the tangle of Wild Clematis came the song of a Dunnock, the tune always sounds a little out to me as they sing. As it was busy singing it was a good chance to view its grey head and delicately marked brown feathering.
As the Dunnock finished, a Robin took up the mantle, the stronger more fluid song coming from this red-breasted resident. This is a really good time of year to learn (or relearn) the songs of our commonest birds.
Along the coast, a very gentle southerly breeze, and taking flight from the cliffs was a Peregrine Falcon, a pale grey specimen, which flapped then glided before flapping again as it quartered the area.
Below it on the cliffs a group of 20 or so cackling Jackdaws and a Rock Pipit, while a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls perched next to each other on one of the breeding spots used last year.
On the water about 70 Guillemots, these adults all in full breeding plumage with dark chocolate heads, bobbing about, having a wash and generally loafing about.
Amongst them were 5 Razorbills, 1 pair and 3 odd ones. The jet black colouration and thick bill making them fairly easy to differentiate in this morning’s light.
More Guillemots squeezed on the main breeding ledge making for 200+ in total.
As I reached Tilly Whim a quick look at the back wall for an Adder, and there was a very well camouflaged one, a two-tone brown against the dark earth and sticks. This large female was lying stretched out obviously hoping for the sun to come back out, (at least 5 were seen yesterday at this spot)).
A stroll across the downland noted a few plants thinking about emerging including the odd Orchid rosette amongst a few leaves of Ribwort Plantain and those of Milkwort.
Large splashes of yellow Gorse one of the features at the moment, showing up against the dull brown and pale creams of last season’s grass.
By the entrance to the woodland a small clump of Wood Dog Violets have emerged, a deep purple colour against their heart shaped leaves.