Fortunately, I spotted the Herford Cattle still in Tasker’s Meadow where they should be! A windy morning recorded a maximum gust of 41 knots at 8 am. Nevertheless, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws where in the air about the car parks. A Squirrel raced between scrub cover over open grassland near the Centre. The dozen chattering birds that passed overhead were a charm of Goldfinches. Whilst a Magpie sat firm in the crown of unmoving thorn cover, beyond the taller roadside Holm Oak stems, with leaves of course, were being battered by the wind. Through these trees the wind roared. I picked up no scent from the Ivy flowers today.
Piercing through the cloud, sunbeams touched the sea. Passing the measure mile markers, I walked headfirst into the wind but noticed a disturbed clump of Field Mushrooms. Today the two Gully Mouth blow holes were in action. These and the crashing waves sent sea spray inland. Along the base of the cliff face was much white froth. Occasionally foam was picked up, like a feather, in the wind. It was great to see good progress on the Compass Point dry stone wall rebuild. I heard a Rock Pipit then saw the low flight of a pied sea bird over the waves. It was a Guillemot heading out to sea. Upon inspection some three score of Guillemot were huddled into the sea cave ledge. Herring Gulls drifted westward, with bent wings, along the cliff top perhaps using and updraft. Jackdaws were more adventurous dive upon and down about the cliffs. Dry Teasel heads and stem wavelike like familiar coastal friends. It was crashing wave spray which sent the Greater Black Backed Gull up from its cliff top perch below the Great Globe.
I returned under dense, dark, Holm Oak cover where only a carpet of leaves and Ivy laid. Where sunlight pierce trough to ground level occasional patches of Stinking Iris took hold. Many more of the Iris covered the floor where a stand of leaf shedding Sycamore stood. Here saplings appeared and included Hawthorn, Holly, Ash and Bay. The smooth Sycamore trunks wore moss. However, the non-native Holm Oak also where moss and branching lichens where just enough sunlight could reach.
Back by the centre Ragwort flowers benefited from the shelter provided by the fossil wall. Within the wildlife garden, well stock bird feeders (thanks to Stour Valley Bird Ringers) swung manically in the wind…bird less! Cat thought she heard a tree creeper.