As always it was lovely to be able to take the clifftops for the start of my morning patrol. In the distance, towards the just visible under the murky skies Isle of Wight, flew some long necked black dots, too far for me to identify with certainty!
Closer in and unmistakable, were 2 glorious gleaming white Gannets gilding across the tops of the grey water, the black tips showing as they banked slightly to change direction.
Whirring from the cliffs were Guillemots, just as if I had been given a flock of flying clockwork toys for Christmas! The ledge full of well over 100 birds – all that I could count as they jostled, their black blacks blending together making individuals more difficult to distinguish.
Perched either side of the ledge were Peregrine Falcons, both facing slightly out to sea their pale striped waistcoats fluttering in the slight breeze. A sudden elegant movement as one took flight, the wonderful slate blur-grey back and swept back wings powering towards the east with scarcely a twitch.
Behind me the twittering of Great Tits as they searched through the soft fronds of the Tamarisk leaves snippets of food. Also amongst these fast growing Mediterranean bushes were Blue Tits, their churrs easily heard and towards the Globe a couple of tiny Goldcrests also flitted about.
Out past the lighthouse and the ground became muddier and more slippery, (there has been an awful lot of rain this last couple of weeks) but perched on the fenceline was a flock of Goldfinches, the gold flashes showing even on this dull morning.
Up to check the Hereford cattle herd were OK, where a Robin was singing while perched on the bright yellow flowered Gorse, both the singing and the blooming can take place at any time of year for these species.
As I wandered back towards the centre a Kestrel hovered ahead of me and a Raven glided over enabling me to see not only its large size but also the thick ruff around its neck and wedge shaped tail.