A quite spectacular sunrise this morning, as the sun rose above the horizon it produced a gorgeous pink colour across the land. Looking northwards Old Harry Rocks was not its usual white but instead tinged with pink.
Visibility was also fantastic with St Catherine’s point on the Isle of Wight a dark silhouette against the bright sky.
The cliffs and water alive with seabirds, as over a hundred auks were bobbing on the calm sea, today just scattered about, not in the ‘usual’ neat lines. This mass comprised about 75% Guillemots and 25% Razorbills with a count of 28 of the blacker species.
Walking towards Tilly Whim I looked back at the breeding ledge to see it crammed with Guillemots, however those on the southern end were fidgety and flighty, as I looked through my binoculars the reason became clear, not only was there a Herring Gull perched on the rock just above, but more ominously a large black Raven on the ledge.
Also on the cliffs a pale fronted Shag and a Fulmar, tucked in a crevice with another of these majestic fliers sweeping past, both cackling.
On the quarry ledge a Black Redstart showed off its black and grey breeding plumage, as it flicked its red tail up and down. Taking flight in a short display was a Rock Pipit, just a couple of notes emitted as it descended.
Off towards the downland and the sounds of birdsong echoed as Great Tits churred, Blue Tits chittered and Dunnocks squeaked.
The sudden eruption of a Blackbird was accompanied by the call of a Mistle Thrush while in the distance a Green Woodpecker could be heard.
A few early flowers in bloom with the odd Daisy amongst the grass and Speedwell, petals all closed up but the pale blue underside on show.
Hiding underneath the prickly spikes of Gorse was a Rabbit, while a Roe Deer was browsing on the scrub nearby.