A glorious sunrise, with the orange glow covering the whole park. Skimming low across the water was a scattering of Guillemots, the whirring black and white bodies circling, another 150 or so packed closely on the upper ledge.
Through the golden dappling glow on the water a Shag flapped, the long neck highlighted as it moved. In the opposite direction a Gannet soared, the long white wings given an orange hue.
The flap followed by the glide of a Fulmar, I can easily spend ages watching these magnificent birds as they quarter around the cliffs, such amazing ability in flight. Meanwhile a Rock Pipit launched itself from the cliff edge calling as it went.
Perched in amongst the brown ropes of the Wild Clematis was a couple of Song Thrushes, the speckled front noted before the camouflaged brown back could be determined. Taking flight from a wispy white flower head was a Wren making a noisy call as it did.
Emerging from the gully was a male Pheasant – having been disturbed by a not very closely controlled Spaniel.
The sound of a Green Woodpecker coming from further up the gully, the green body and dirty yellow rump spotted as it flew towards a telegraph pole, already occupied by a Jackdaw.
The squeak of a Bullfinch brought my attention lower to the ground, and I was able to watch it flit from the Rosehips on the Dog Rose, just its white rump visible.
In the woodland, the tree surgeons are back again removing some of the damaged and leaning Holm Oaks and Sycamores, this the first major woodland management undertaken for years.
Scampering amongst the Elms, Japanese Spindle and up the majestic Beech were at least 8 Grey Squirrels, as I watch one stopped to gnaw on a Holm Oak acorn.