The cliff tops were calling this morning, the sun flickering on the gently lapping waves, as the sound of growling and gargling of Guillemots rose from the water. On the ledge, which can be seen by peering towards the east from near Tilly Whim, hundreds of these wonderful chocolate brown and white birds are sat, their chicks beginning to hatch after a month sitting on the egg.
On the cliff, a Razorbill was standing erect, a superb view of this jet black bird, its white bill stripes flashing in the sunlight. Zooming past were some Fulmars, sticking their short pink legs out as they turned the corners.
A wonderful array of pink flowers blooming with Thrift galore, in amongst were the deeper pink of Common Mallow, and the tiny low growing Wild Thyme. Near the Lighthouse a splash of cerise pink from the tall Gladiolus plants.
The white and pink umbels of Wild Carrots now showing well and a few of the parasitic brown Carrot Broomrape have emerged.
Young Rock Pipit chicks flitting up and down on the banks, while the youngsters of Common Whitethroats and of Lesser Whitethroats both spotted nearby.
Last night it was wonderful to hear the screaming of Swifts as they whizzed across the sky, while this morning a few Swallows were flying about.
A quick look through the moth trap and a fantastic Privet Hawkmoth spotted, this 3” (10cm) long specimen with pink and black striped body quite amazing. Also a Fox moth, a Cream Spot Tiger, Common Swift and many Heart and Darts and Treble Lines – you never quite know what will turn up.
On the farmland the Skylarks are still singing, proclaiming their territory for all to hear, as I enjoyed watching on hover above the meadow I was distracted by a chestnut coloured bird, disappearing over the hedgerow – looking for all the world like a Turtle Dove (one was seen on Monday so keep looking), these migrants are a rare sight these days.