Under last night’s fantastic starry skies, when galaxies and stars where twinkling, the sound of seeping Redwings drifted down to me, distracting from the hooting call of a Tawny Owl which was coming from the Sycamore infested copse. Tripping along the path ahead of me was a Roe Deer, the sound of its hooves echoing on the tarmac.
This morning a glorious start, down the cliffs to look at the calm sea, skimming above the water a Shag, the shape silhouetted against the orange glow of the sky.
As I watched, the sun started to rise above the watery horizon, a slight orange dimple slowly rising to become a glorious orb.
First one then another Peregrine Falcon floated up from the rock nobble below, a few flaps and a couple of circles, as if to get rid of stiffness and then they headed off westwards scattering a few Feral Pigeons and some Jackdaws on the way.
Along the cliffs the sound of growling and churring made me look down to see Guillemots flying in, the ledges packed with these chocolate brown and white auks, visiting more regularly as the winter progresses.
On the downland, hidden amongst the tufts of Tor Grass were a couple of Meadow Pipits, only noticed as they took flight, a quick call as they moved, once they landed again they disappeared in the short grass.
Overhead a charm of Goldfinches spotted, the golden flashes on the wings catching the ray of sunshine, almost glowing as they moved.
Landing amongst the tumbling mass of Old Man’s Beard was a small group of Chaffinches, as I watched them I also noticed a Blackbird feeding on the bright red berries of the Dog Roses and a Robin perched about to blast a snippet of song.
In the same area, a mixed selection of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits flitting from branch to branch. The long tails seeming to make the birds over wobble as they land.