Through the woodland the smell of garlic from the Ramsons was still pervading the air, alongside the sweet smell of the Poplar leaves. Waving in the breeze the white flowers of the Cow Parsley standing tall alongside the dry-stone walls.
A wonderful array of greens on display, the trees now all in leaf and virtually all a slightly different colour and shape. The pale yellow candelabra of the Horse Chestnut and the piles of furry sticks from Willow just two of the tree flowers to enjoy. From the Field Maple came the continual song of a Great Tit, while a Blue Tit was churring nearby – both of these species can be seen with chicks on the screens in the Castle visitor centre.
Off to the cliffs where the smell of Guillemots was wafting strongly up from the breeding ledge where 250 birds are spending most of their time awaiting the hatching of their eggs.
On the water many more Guillemots plus 6 Razorbills bobbing about, while flying nearby 2 delicate Kittiwakes, their elegant wings looking like they have been dipped in black ink. This gull breeds just along the cliffs and these two were dropping onto the water picking amongst the floating seaweed.
Dwarfing the Kittiwakes were 2 Gannets, these glorious white birds were gliding across the sky and then suddenly diving head first into the water, reappearing again to sit on the surface. I couldn’t tell whether it had successfully caught any fish, bit then it took flight again its long stiff wings flapping until it had risen sufficiently to glide again.
A dark green Shag stood on the cliff, its wispy crest showing well, while the cackling sound of Fulmars could be heard from a nook in the rocks.
Suddenly overhead two shapes floated quickly into view, pointed wings, bulky bodies indicating Peregrine Falcons, their movements ominous for the Feral Pigeon that was also in the sky, fortunately for that the Peregrines attempt seemed a little half-hearted and the Pigeon continued its travels safely.
A clump of pink Thrift on the cliffs contrasting with the white Sea and Bladder Campion and the yellow Bird’s-foot Trefoil adding more colour to the early patrol.