A pair of Magpies caught my eye as they explored the walling centre. Several Charlock clumps had appeared between brash piles at the bonfire site. Ahead crossing my path, a pair of Bullfinches passed between Blackthorn cover. Out upon Lighthouse field I saw a dark Bee resting on a Wild Carrot flowerhead. My pencil tip confirmed the insect to be alive but was weak perhaps due to wind, moisture and a lack of sunlight. Jackdaws, about a dozen, passed over the gully. Above the mile markers near a roadside rock exposure Rest Harrow and Yellow (Lady’s) Bedstraw and Wild Thyme provided colour.
Other roadside flowers include Agrimony and Common Toadflax and Bristly Ox-tongue provided some yellow colour. Woodsage showed rather pale flower spikes whilst at chin height White (Hedge) Bedstraw bloomed. Infront of the Quarr elephant ear like leaves of Burdock had some burrs developing amongst them. Before lighthouse bridge a good spray of white Privet flowers appear in places protruding out of Old Mans Beard and Blackthorn leaf cover. A patch of Bladder Campion was seen where Ox Eye Daisies otherwise caught the eye.
Both Garden and Banded Snail were seen, whilst the large droppings of Wood Pigeon had to be avoided on the bridge walls. It was here that Skylarks were heard. At the base of the north facing wall of the Lighthouse complex rather large bauble like Thrift flowers had developed thanks to some shelter. Tiny yellow “pom pom” flowers of Black Medic grew path side at ground level. Spent Bluebell stems still stood proud holding seed pods whilst exposed Sycamores moved with the wind in the gully. Beside the coast path Wild Madder showed its five petal flowers so pale in a colour that was apparently yellow / green.
There was some Shag activity with at least four seen going west. Another two were also seen perched high up on the cliff face (near camera cable). One was at first mistaken for a Jackdaw with its huddled cliff clinging stance. Nearby were a pair Guillemots where Razorbills are often seen. Today I counted at least a dozen Razorbills amongst the raft of sea birds. There was the distinctive peep of an Oystercatcher that flew west over the sea. From the observation point I watched the troglodyte behaviour of Jackdaws squeezing into limestone cavities. Nearby a Fulmar rested.
Hamish reported Scoter, Gannets & Terns.