The woodland was bursting with sound this morning as I arrived into the woods, Herring Gulls cried from above their sound echoing up from the beach, a Wren called out its high-pitched tune from within the thicket of Ivy and the deep bark of a dog rang through the woods. Such a beautiful morning, after last nights winds of 37mph a fresh flutter of leaves covered the woodland paths. The morning sun was tickling the tops of the Sycamore and Beech trees, and it shone through the Hazel leaves across the Aviary Glade making them bright yellowy/ green.
My eyes were drawn from the lower lying Bay, to the tall straight Elm leading up to the huge Pines out sprung across the canopy. Sycamore and Horse Chestnut trees are now empty silhouetted of a past summer. A Wood Pigeon flew between the trees weaving in and out of the overhanging branches, I never realised they were so agile. A Great Tit called from within the Holm Oaks and on the woodland floor, bright Winter Heliotrope and tall colourful Stinking Iris were in contrast with the dark dense leaves of the Holm Oak, Bay and Holly saplings.
A Jay’s screaming call was heard from the inland side of the path and almost immediately a second call from the south side. Generally, a shy bird rarely moving far from cover, the call usually indicates that the Jay is on the move. They hide and bury acorns ready for winter but are known as forgetful birds, giving the hidden acorns a chance to grow, and the Jay the name as an eco-system engineer. Across the car parks Goldfinches, Chiffchaff and Linnets were all in abundance.
The Wood Pigeons completely stole the show today, counting over 1000 in total, amazing flocks of 300+ in each, as I stood and watched from the observation point a flock burst over Tilly Whim and followed the contours along the coast, flying only a few inches overhead, a spectacular sight. Further along the coast path more flocks flew southwards making their autumn migration from Scandinavia down to France and Spain.
Near Tilly Whim caves a Robin sung from within the open branches of the Gorse, then flying to a nearby Tamarisk tree, the sun shining on its red breast. Linnets and Blue tits flew around the scrub patches of the centre. Down by the landslip a Buzzard was seen perched on a fence line and a flock of Long-tailed Tits were seen further out in the park.