Down to the cliffs this morning for a view of the seabirds, we are really very lucky to be able to get such good close up views. As I peered over the edge at least 40 Guillemots were visible on the gently bobbing water, the group constantly changing as more dropped with a tumble and a splash onto the water and others took flight with a whirr of brown and white wings.
Sitting slightly aloof was a jet black Razorbill, whose thick beak was lined with white making it look very smart.
Soaring high around the cliffs were Fulmars, as they came close to me I was able to admire the dark black feathers around their eyes and the superb way they soar through the air.
Standing upright on the cliffs was a family of Shags, the youngsters a paler browner colour than the green tinged adults. Meanwhile high overhead flew a Cormorant, bigger, bulkier and looking even more awkward than their close relative.
A wonderful selection of clifftop flowers to be enjoyed, with the large white and pink lacy umbels of Wild Carrot, the dark mauve carpets of Wild Thyme and the yellow covering of Kidney Vetch and Bird’s Foot Trefoil.
To add to the display splodges of pinky-purple Common Mallow compete with the Field Bindweed and the delicate pale flower of the Stinking Iris which are growing alongside the Woody Nightshade.
The sun yellow flowers of Yellow-wort and bright pink spikes of Centaury are also scattered along the path edge.
From a patch of Blackthorn the ‘chatting’ call of a Stonechat could be heard, this adult bird with a large white collar attracting my attention, while a young speckled Stonechat perched nearby. The scratchy call of a Common Whitethroat added to the morning’s interest.
On the bright yellow flower a Thick-kneed Flower Beetle oedemera nobilis pondered and as I returned to the centre a Speckled Wood, Small Heath and a Meadow Brown butterfly rose up.