I took the opportunity to “walk round the head” as this section of coast path was open. Beside the smooth new path were patches of bare soil which I visualised becoming colonised with Nettles and Thistles and other wind-blown seed species.
From the open coast path, I saw a Peregrine Falcon perform a cliff face fly past. Offshore was what I believed to be Mediterranean Gull, which flew low over the sea showing black wing bars. A cloud of Winter Gnats fortunately passed above head height. Even a Bumble Bee flew over Lighthouse Green. I think great Black Back Gulls might having been circuiting, east inland then west offshore. A Rock Pipit perched on Tilly Whim’s wave cut platform. A second was on the ground below the Lighthouse whilst a Robin sang from the Tamarisk clump. A Shag flew east past Anvil Point.
Beside the Lighthouse perimeter walls were Stinking Iris and Privet fruits. One Garden Snail clung one metre up the wall. In the gully an unseen male Stonechat called. Bare Elder branches protruded through the Blackthorn cover. The orange Lichen which covered the former branch “elbows” down added some welcome colour. Within the leafless branches of Sycamore, a dozen Jackdaws silently perched and preened. Over the gully at first one Kestrel with still wings rode a thermal searching for prey below. A second Kestrel had less patience perhaps and spent little time over the gully before heading west with its partner finally following.
Black Bryony fruits and Old Man’s Beard seeds decorated the approach the Lighthouse Road Bridge. Amongst the flower seen this morning were: one Thrift head beside the gully coast path steps; several ground hugging Sea Campion again coast path side but below the Lighthouse; a Dwarf Thistle roadside in the gully.
Both Linnets and Goldfinches were present as small chatter flocks. Just before my return to the centre a Jay silently swept past. Warren reported a Yellow Browed Warbler and in Taskers Meadow a Dartford Warbler.