Down to the cliffs to see the seabirds, where I was greeted with the sounds of growling Guillemots and the tapping of Razorbills as they floated in pairs on the water, bills knocking together. A little further along and the strong pungent smell of rotting fish from the Guillemot guano (poo) was wafting up from the ledges, this will only get stronger as the breeding season proceeds!
Skimming above the water at distance were 3 Gannets, the stunning white wings tipped with black as they glided and flapped in unison. A little closer to land was our next largest seabird the Great Black-backed Gull, which next on the cliffs here, the huge white edged black wings soaring along the cliffs dwarfing the other birds.
A wonderful sight of a Fulmar, returned for a few days away, an amazing bird to watch flying with its thin narrow wings above the bulky rotund chest and its legs which flap as it banks – I definitely stood and watched longer than I anticipated.
On the cliff edge Rock Pipits were fluttering, pairs together and then other chasing, perhaps males attempting to secure the territory.
More flowers emerging, from the small purple Ground Ivy, Bugle and Dog Violets to the pinks of Herb Robert, Honesty and Pink Oxalis.
Overhead a Yellow Wagtail called, while a flock of 10 or more Goldfinches tinkled as they flew up and then landed in amongst the white flowers on the Wayfaring Tree.
A burst of strong sweet smell from the Poplars in the woods, the dappled sunlight catching the eye where a Speckled Wood flitted and along the hedge a Holly Blue was on the Ivy.
A Fox was spotted in the corner of the field, before disappearing into the hedge. Nearby bounding over one of the low walls was a Roe Deer, while a couple of days ago we had a report (and photo) of 4 Sika Deer out on the west boundary
I am now able to watch the Guillemots through our cliff camera – see some footage here.