A very grey and overcast morning, with barely a sound as I took my patrol and the air so still that the rustling in the trees was caused by Grey Squirrels chasing each other – they are very active and noisy at the moment with lots of growling and chattering going on between them.
The sea completely flat, a seamless grey merging into the sky, a larger tanker barely visible in the mist. Flapping and gliding across my view however were a few brilliant white Gannets, close enough to see the black tips and on one the slight yellowing of its head, just amazing.
Along the cliffs the perches were being made good use of, with a Great Black-backed Gull on the uppermost rock outcrop, a Shag only a foot away from it on another, with near the sea another 4 Shags clinging to the cliff-face.
It was the Peregrine Falcons however which held my attention, with the larger female, higher on the cliff, looking very tatty, her feathers ruffled and patchy. Lower down a smaller bird seemed sleek and in good condition, however at the angle I could see I couldn’t tell if it was this year juvenile or not.
The meadow awash with yellow, as the tight round heads of Fleabane are now in full bloom, with alongside patches of taller Ragwort. Closer inspection reveals Wild Carrot, Wild Parsnip, Red Bartsia, Yarrow, Birds-foot Trefoil, Tufted Vetch and the Corky-fruited Water Dropwort which is now turning to seed.
Along the banks the dull pink flowers of Hemp Agrimony dominate some patches and the bright pink of Rosebay Willowherb others.
In the woods Puffballs have emerged, a large off-white fungus sphere, I am still trying to identify the more delicate and intricate fungi spotted on a Willow branch. However while looking my attention was ruined by the sight of a Sparrowhawk swooping close by.
A Spotted Flycatcher flitting just outside the centre (1 of 3 noted this morning) also a Lesser Whitethroat, some Willow Warblers and flock of Goldfinches, to add to the Stonechat and Bullfinch.