Through the woodland this morning I heard the drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, following the sound I spotted it high in the Sycamore tree. The leaves of the Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum are now protruding out from the sticky buds leaving a web entangled around the open flowers. The sun was a perfect circle behind a wall of cloud and bright blue patches of sky appear as the thin clouds moved slowly across the bay. A pair of Sparrows were singing between the Hawthorn and the roof of the Learning Centre, obviously sussing out a new home. Within the Hawthorn I spotted the bright yellow of a Yellow Hammer, while up in an Ash tree sat a Goldfinch.
I headed towards the Coast Path where a Squirrel was jumping through the tops of the Elm and Holm Oak like a Monkey mischievously playing around. Our recent work on the Coast Path with our trusty band of volunteers has opened up the path, removed overhanging branches and cut down the Tamarisk making the wonderful view out towards Old Harry Rocks even better.
Many Guillemots and twenty or so Razorbills distinctive by their jet black colour and paired kissing characteristics, were bobbed gently on the calm water, splashing around and dunking their heads into the dark blue sea. The ‘Star of Hennock’ fishing boat came trundling on past creating a wave of chaos as they all dived down into the sea or headed quickly back to the safety of the ledge. The Fulmers were out gliding around the cliffs and the Jackdaws were busy collecting sticks to build their nests on the cliff edge. Four Great Black-Backed Gulls flew effortlessly past at eye level, their huge wind span and black upper-wings bright in the morning sun. Out to sea an Oyster Catcher glided low over the water. One Adder slithered through the grass above Tilly Whim, probably going to set itself up for a morning basking in the warm sun. In the Gully the wonderful sound of bird song filled the air with calls from Great Tit, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker, Blue-Tit, Chiffchaff, Pheasant and most prominent today the Dunnock.