The fresh easterly wind directed me to the cliff tops this morning, where the view of the blue sea covered in white crests was amazing, added to this was amazing action around the seabird colony.
Flying in circles, whizzing around were Guillemots, for once at a height which made them easy to see, the use of their feet to help them bank easy to watch amongst the speedy whirr of wings. Some were coming in with silvery fish flashing in their bill, to deliver to a hungry chick but most were just flying – just fantastic to watch.
Joining them were some Razorbills and the Fulmars, while a Shag zoomed by wings straight, down below more auks were on the water, black and white sometimes visible sometimes not as the sun shone on the water.
On the cliffs a good view of 2 young Herring Gull chicks, both dark grey with black blotches making them well camouflaged. Hopefully the lack of views of the Great Black-backed Gull chicks was because they were hidden rather than no longer present.
Last night Kittiwakes were on the water while diving from height were Sandwich Terns, arrowing into what must have been a shoal of fish.
Turning inland a Ringlet (my first of the year) fluttered and grabbed the stem of Black Bryony, whose leaves are wonderfully shiny and heart shaped. The wind not encouraging for most insects but a Lulworth Skipper, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood flitted past.
In the centre of the yellow composite dandelion like flower of Rough Hawksbit was a Thick-kneed Flower Beetle, all splendid in iridescent green and gold. however being the female the thick-thighs were not present!
The orthoptera are now starting to emerge, with Speckled Bush Cricket and Meadow Grasshopper identified although neither looked to be quite adult in size.
Despite the rain and wind last night a few species in the moth trap including Elephant Hawkmoth, Small Elephant Hawkmoth, Brimstone, Clouded Silver, Spectacled, Peppered Moth, Vines Rustic and a Red Admiral!