It was a hazy start to the morning with the early morning sun being obstructed by thin clouds. A chilly but moderate wind certainly didn’t stop wildlife from being present as once again I was surrounded almost immediately by activity.
A Chaffinch was the first noise to reach my ears, these birds have begun calling every morning recently and seem to be content on singing all day from the treetop perches around the learning centre. Great Tit, Blue Tit, and Dunnock were also in song, the latter, instead of doing the usual act of hiding in the undergrowth, was belting out from atop of the Blackthorn in the Wildlife Area.
I decided to venture into the Wildlife Area to see observe the pond life having spied a Great Crested Newt over the weekend. Today however it was the smaller Smooth Newts in full force with several Water Boatmen and Pond Snails also active.
A Green Woodpecker maniacally laughed in the distance drowning out the closer Robin and Goldfinch that were singing in the hedgerows. I decided to walk down Long Meadow to see what would be present, however it seemed that the Blue Tits had decided to use all their frenetic energy in the car park Ivy and Silver Birch. The Meadow seemed very silently with only the sound of the wind through the Black Pine on the entrance road providing any sound.
Entering the woods, six Woodpigeons exploded out of the Holm Oaks and a Blackbird started doing its “spink” call. Clearly, I wasn’t welcome.
Further up I realised I could smell fire, only to see the remnants of the one from yesterday’s work party still releasing a small amount of smoke from the ashes. Here, a Wren started singing and a very high-pitched call from a Yew Tree led me to see 3 Goldcrests foraging through the foliage. Yellow Brain Fungus and Dog’s Vomit Slime Moulds were also observed.
Upon entrance to the Castle, I looked up to see two Peregrines making use of the ample wind. Reaching the Globe I spied two Brent Geese out to sea heading west. The cliffs were very active, 8 Fulmars were zooming around and 40+ Guillemots and Razorbills were on a raft in the water with more coming in. Despite the cold I was surprised to see an Adder basking on Tilly Whim, whether it was the same individual that I have seen recently I was unsure. A duo of Rock Pipits also wandered out on the path in front of me.