In one direction the moon, only showing half of its face and in the other (the east) the sun, a bright red then orange sphere providing a weak sunny covering for the Park as it shone through the low fog.
Through the woods the sound of Grey Squirrels scampering up the trees their claws tapping on the bark as they climbed, swaying the branches as they nearer the top. From the top of a copper leaved Beech came the gorgeous song of a Song Thrush this bird producing a wide variety of tunes, as was the Blackbird that was singing from the Bay Tree.
A loud yaffle from a Green Woodpecker altered me to its presence, the large green and yellow body spotted through the dangling catkins of the small Hazel rotation.
The tinkling calling of Goldfinches and the chattering of House Sparrows added to the early morning sounds, as both of these species start on their nesting prospecting.
A scattering of early flowers now in bloom with a patch of lilac Spring Crocus, bright yellow Narcissus and nearer the Castle paler yellow Daffodils, on the landslip the Greater Periwinkle provides a glint of purple and around the cliff the Gorse is as usual flowering, covering its vicious spikey branches with brilliant yellow petals.
Along the clifftop the loud croak of a Raven, its long wings and triangular tail easy to spot as it glided by, while lower down a Shag was skimming the water, the crest looking suspiciously like it had emerged. Hovering in large flocks were Winter Gnats, enjoying the sunshine, but no sign of the Adders at Tilly Whim (as of 8.45am)
On the water just a few Guillemots and 8 Razorbills, for once the main ledge completely empty of auks. Gliding majestically were 4 Fulmars – I could have spent the rest of the hour just watching these amazing birds.
Last night in the fog the scuttling sound of nails on the hard pat, followed by a snuffling gave away the existence of the Badger, spotted a little later. Overhead a Pipistrelle Bat flitted.