Both a Grey Squirrel and a Magpie were investigating the approach road verge. Near the centre a creature had “turfed” tufts of grass about the place but from where I was unsure! From south Field the entire Isle of Wight was visible below cloud. Between cloud and the seaward horizon was a golden sun glow which later stretched towards the mile markers and colouring the sea below.
Less exciting but rather unusual was the discovered of a deceased Brown Rat with its thick worm like tale. Apparently, one pair over several litters can breed sixty young a year! Of course, these rodents became part of our countryside having been introduced in 1700s.
I stood upon an Ant Hill, to peer over a drystone, and experienced a gentle sinking feeling as I must have crushed the insect’s passageways inside. A pair of Magpies perched in the Wildlife Garden’s tree tops whilst a Jay preferred to fly past them to disappear mid height into the Small Copse. Later I saw a second such journey repeated.
Down on the gully slopes two males one a Blackbird another a Stonechat shared the same Blackberry bush for a perch. Upon the grassy slopes near the gully mouth a good eight brown striped Meadow Pipits foraged. Over head a pair of thrush sized birds flew east and emitted a rattle like call. These I suspected were Redwing of which another ten later flew over. Up the gully chattering away was a solo Goldfinch in flight. Jackdaws were seen upon the Lighthouse roof top and upon the neighbouring grassland.
Another clump of Common Toadflax flowers was seen on the gully slope as were a good dozen Ox Eye Daisy blooms. Otherwise there was only the Gorse flowers adding colour.
Today I heard the Guillemots “gargling” before I saw them. Occupation of the cliff cave was such that couple of birds had to occupy sloped surfaces. Whilst four birds left to fly far out to sea another four returned. One come back to shore Guillemot chose the land upon the sea out from the cliffs. Its own other companions upon the water were a Great Black Back Gull and a Shag of course!