My early morning patrol began with the yaffling sounds of 2 Green Woodpeckers as they flew around before landing in the Ash tree allowing me good views of these wonderful birds.
A high pitched screeching brought to my attention a Peregrine Falcon flying through the sky aiming towards the cliffs while the delicate song of the Skylark continued to fill the air as this tiny brown speck could just be spotted against the blue sky.
Flowers galore; under the dappled shade the delicate white trumpets of Enchanters Nightshade, while the robust pinks of Red Valerian are blooming in full sunlight.
The pale green barely noticeable flowers of Wood Sage mix with the pale purple Marjoram and the white of Hedge Bedstraw. Growing on the ground Wild Thyme, Restharrow and bright red Scarlet Pimpernel as well as the yellow and orange Bird’s Foot Trefoil.
Down to the cliffs where the Guillemots were growling and gargling from the water, a scattering of 16 of the brown and white birds, the ledges are now mostly empty, just a few young chicks not yet fledged being looked after by the adults.
A family of Shags was standing on the rocks the pale fronted juveniles still seeking food from their parents.
Butterflies everywhere, the Marbled White the most numerous by far, but Small and Lulworth Skippers, Meadow Browns and Small Heaths also easy to find. In some places, flitting about the leaves of Bramble, Black Bryony and Clematis are the gorgeous deep brown Ringlet, a butterfly which rarely perches to allow you to see the small rings on its underside.
A couple of very freshly emerged Gatekeepers and tired looking Painted Ladies also noted, whilst on the purple flower of the Greater Knapweed a Six-spot Burnet moth.
The Wild Carrot umbels were covered in small orange Soldier Beetles. The Rough Hawkbit was being used by the Thick-kneed flower Beetle and tiny solitary Bees.