A wonderful morning to be out and about with a strong westerly wind blowing across the Country Park, causing the birds in particular to be diverted from their course as they flew. Swallows were blowing sideways, their usual elegant swooping ruined by the gusting breeze.
Down by the lighthouse a Wheatear poked its pale sand coloured head above the wall, as it stood up higher it was blown off the wall, its white rump at this point instantly recognisable amongst the flapping of feathers.
At sea a string of Herring Gulls flew past, working much harder than usual, the wings more pointed as they made their way against the blow.
At Tilly Whim the waves were crashing over the top, producing a salty spray across the clifftop where the Sea Aster is still in bloom alongside the Rock Samphire.
The hedgerows are covered in the berries of Brambles, it has been a really good year for these autumn fruits in both number, juiciness and flavour!
The Hawthorns are also looking magnificent with their deep red berries covering the leaves and along the scrub boundaries the long ropes of Black Bryony have produced fat ripe red fruits.
A few flowers not affected by the wind are the low growing Wild Thyme, Squinancywort, Eyebright, Autumn Ladies Tresses and Small Scabious as well as the more upright but solid Red Valerian, Fleabane, Ragwort and the scrubby Buddleia.
The early morning hooting of a Tawny Owl came from the depths of the Woodland, while a sudden screeching came from some squabbling Magpies, possibly disturbed by the Grey Squirrels which were chasing madly along the same branches.
Whilst watching this mayhem a small group of birds flitted by, which included Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long Tailed Tit as well as a warbler which on closer inspection turned out to be a Chiffchaff.