A Yachtsman’s sails fill up with breeze
As he sails upon the tide
Above the wind blows through the trees
Birds soar with arms spread wide
The wind it sets the world in motion
It ventures everywhere
Journey by land or sky or ocean
And the wind will carry you there
I started the day with a Swallow, the dainty bird zipping over the roof of the Learning Centre and flashing its colours. I headed down to the Castle, the two tone calls of Chiffchaffs providing vocals with wind and wave instrumental backing. The verges were bursting with flowers. Bulbous and Meadow Buttercups were the most prolific, with Red Clover and Whitlow Grass also well represented. A single Bluebell was growing amongst this medley and inside the Woodlands a couple of fine Dryads Saddle were on display.
Caravan Terrace hosted an abundance of Primroses and Herb Robert. A Dunnock was singing from an unseen location and as I scanned the Holm Oaks a female Blackbird emerged, darting across the path and into the branches of a Buddleia. Further along the Coast Path, I was joined in my journey by a Wall Brown butterfly on my right and a small sailboat on my left, both buffeted by the stiff breeze. The Tamarisk along the path edges hosted several Blue Tits and Goldfinches, eagerly chirping away.
During a brief pause in the Dolphin Hut, I spotted 6 Gannets gliding westward. Also riding the wind were Herring Gulls, Jackdaws and several Fulmars. A Shag was also on the wing, but it was travelling with its usual flap intensive flight that makes me tired just watching.
Climbing the Mile Marker Slope to the meadows I passed fresh patches of Chalk Milkwort and Bird’s Foot Trefoil. A menacing grey streak in front of me marked the passage of a Peregrine Falcon, skimming over fields of Cowslips and patches of Blackthorn as it swept down to the cliffs. At this I turned back to finish my journey, the wind at my back speeding me on my way.