Scattered across the greasy islands in empty closed car park the early spring flowers are in bloom, with Lesser Celandine probably taking pride of place, its bright yellow shiny flowers wide open in the mornings sunlight. Nearby the small off-white petals of Daisy and the pale blue of Common Field Speedwell and Grey Field Speedwell mix with the Common Whitlow Grass and Grape Hyacinth.
On the banks and verges a scattering of Primroses and a few Daffodils, there are 13 species of Daffodil identified here, most of which I struggle to tell apart. The same problem exists for me with Dandelion which are now to be spotted across the site, with 8 species recognised, but for now I will stick with just Dandelion!
Out on the downs the Hairy Violets are also starting to show well, plus Common Dog Violet and Wood Dog Violet.
A deep pink colour turned my attention from the sea to the Flowering Currant bush, covered in dangling pinky-red candles, where a Bullfinch was perched. This extremely smart bird is a stunning sight, in grey jacket, pink shirt and black cap.
Taking advantage of the spot out of the cold wind but in the warm sun was a large female Adder, her two-tone brown zigzag colouration flattened against the brown earth.
At sea not a single Guillemot to be found, hopefully this is their last hurrah before they too are required to stay in the same place for much of the next two months – their breeding ledge looking very empty at present.
Strutting across the short turf a couple of Rock Pipits while Stonechats (a male and female) fluttered on and off the Blackthorn.
The strong smell of coconut wafting towards me from the mass of yellow flowers of the Gorse, perched on the top of one of these prickly spikes was a Blackbird in full voice, a gorgeous sound, while the monotonous chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff’ of a Chiffchaff added to the airwaves.