A gorgeous morning with the cackling calls of Jackdaws coming from above, as the flock of 20+ swooped, stalled and tumbled before landing in amongst the branches of the Tamarisk.
Behind them the golden orb of the sun was rising above the horizon, producing a wonderful golden glow across the land.
Over the sea, which was churning and producing a delicate salty spray flew 6 Shags, all being blown along by the wind, the large black bodies and wide wings looking a little out of control as they went.
A squadron of Guillemots were whirring, as if clockwork as they headed out to sea but making a large sweeping circle to come around again. On the ledge well over 100 of these black and white auks were packed next to each other, as they reclaim and sort out territories and partners for the year.
Along the top of the downlands 4 Roe Deer were spotted, their huge white powder puff rumps catching the eye, I hadn’t noticed them at all until they flashed the rumps! The remainder of their bodies at this time of year perfectly camouflaged against the dull brown hedgerows.
A flitting from the edge of the Blackthorn, on inspection a Goldcrest was moving through, the golden head stripe showing occasionally. The strong wind making it difficult to hold the binoculars steady to see other features well.
Nearby a Blackbird was singing, not a complete song but stop and start as if practising. Other residents were also moving around with the Robin, Wren and Dunnock all to be seen.
Some of the Hawthorns are still carrying berries, and on these a Song Thrush was watched, while Great Tits and Blue Tits both churred and chittered.
As I returned through the woodland a Treecreeper climbed the trunk on an Ash tree, before moving onto the much more rugged trunk of an English Oak – gorgeous to watch.