Thanks to the rain the vegetation looked green, fresh and healthy.Upon arrival a Jay flashed past into tree cover. It was then the back of a Green woodpecker which I saw as it set up from the entrance roadside.
Between the Amphitheatre and globe there were Teasel and one Mullein spike path side. The later has distinctive velvety leaves and had begun to show a few yellow flowers. The former held small pools of water where its leaves met the stem. Meanwhile, those areas cleared of scrub had been colonised with Thistles, Bristly Ox Tongue and Cleavers.
For a change a linear raft of Guillemots was west of the observation point. Recently it has not been unusual to have a score of Herring Gull upon the sea off the main Guillemot colony. Today a lone Gannet circled above the score of Herring Gulls. Amongst them upon the sea were two Shag diving from the sea surface. I thought it was a large fish surfacing but in fact it was a Razorbill briefly popping up for air before diving again. Herring Gulls attempted to scoop fish from the surface with their feet. I spotted one Sandwich Tern then I began to hear the distinctive calls of more Terns until six joined the throng. The Terns as with the Gulls scooped for fish with their feet but the Terns had the advantage of being able to make plunging dives into the sea. Even a Fulmar took interest and passed over the activity. I saw but small Fish or possibly Eels poking out of a Terns beak.
As if this were not enough I had a spectacular view of two then an additional three Razorbills perching high up on the sea cliff. From the coast path I could see the clean fine white stripes upon their beaks and wing margins. Yesterday, a pair of Kestrels were seen lingering cliffside but not this morning.
On the inland side of the coast path were several stems of Yellow Wort holding yellow flowers yet to fully open. Wild Madder showed very pale yellow, five petal flowers. Plenty of Wild Carrot showed “lace bonnet” like flower heads on the cliff tops.
In the gully a male stonechat was heard whilst magenta flowers of Centaury were still to open. Tiny white Privet flowers and Wild Thyme bloomed between the gully rock outcrop.