A breathless, misty start to the day, with sunshine breaking through a hazy sky and the air full of the promise of spring.
Robin belt out their insistent, melodic bursts of song, accompanied by the rhythmic wheezing of Great Tits, and snatches of the sweet notes of Blackbirds, while Chaffinches are starting to warm up their accelerating ‘bouncing ping-pong ball’ songs.
In the gloom of the woodland, a Tawny Owl, up well past bedtime hoots, with the shrieks of Jays echoing among the trees.
There is a tangible sense of excitement along the clifftop, as 7 Fulmars wheel in smooth arcs above the gently lapping water and a Shag hurries into the cliffs, with a beak full of twigs and seaweed.
On the water below, a large ‘bazaar’ of Guillemots bob gently on the waves, preening and growling softly to each other as they prepare for breeding season, with 12 Razorbills among the group, along with a single winter plumage Guillemot – dappled black and white – possibly a visitor from further north.
A Peregrine perches below the Observation Point, with a single Oystercatcher passing by further out to sea. Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull also seen, with several Rock Pipits skittering along the clifftop.
Not much in flower yet, but plenty of fresh green leaves are starting to appear, with those of Primrose, Cleavers, Snowdrop, Dog Violet and Herb Robert appearing on the woodland floor. Lots of trees are flowering, including Hazel and Sallow.
Elsewhere around the Park, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests seen or heard, with a Buzzard spiralling steadily upwards above the back meadows and a Kestrel dashing along the top of the Lighthouse Field.
Our bird ringing studies continue this morning, with a lovely Bullfinch ringed as I popped in to say hello, while Smooth Newts and Great Crested Newts are becoming more active in the ponds around the Park.