A second morning of grey fog greeted me, the sound of the mooing cows coming eerily from South Field, their brown and white bodies emerging from the grey blanket as I got closer. In amongst them a few Meadow Pipits, a Skylark and two Pied Wagtails, while above were a few Swallows.
The most numerous and easy to see bird however were the Jackdaws who were cackling as they soared and jinked around the sky. The grey side of the head a contrast to the jet black cap of these small crows.
Overhead the sound of their largest relatives the Raven was heard but not seen, the deep cronk ringing out loudly in the quiet of the morning.
From the Blackthorn and Hawthorn bushes came the tick sound of some Blackcaps, and upon waiting and watching these greyish, largish warblers poled their heads out of the leaves.
Last night, in the woodlands were a couple of moth traps, aimed at discovering what Autumn migrants are travelling across the sea and what residents are living in the wooded areas. We recorded 23 species of macro moth including Clancy’s Rustic, Delicate, Sombre Brocade, Oak Rustic, Hedge Rustic, Black Rustic, Straw Dot, Willow Beauty and Green-brindled Crescent. An interesting array of shapes, sizes and colours, my favourite was probably the Horse Chestnut as we capture very few of these. Sadly no repeat capture of the Blue Underwing that was captured yesterday.
During the moth trapping a Tawny Owl could be heard calling from the branches and a Badger trundled past.
Amongst the fallen branches in the woods was a couple of Dead Man’s Fingers, this black and grey fungi quite easy to recognise.
Down by the cliffs more Jackdaws to watch and enjoy, while skimming low above the water were a couple of Shags.
A few flowers along the cliffs with the lilac Sea Aster still in bloom as are some white clumps of Yarrow, the occasional Ragwort and Rock Samphire.
As I returned to the centre the drizzle increased, as Great Tits and Chaffinches churred in the Brambles