After a warmer night last night, a grey and overcast start to the day, with a WSW wind shaking the last few leaves from the branches of Hawthorn and Blackthorn bushes on the downs and hissing through stands of dry Tor Grass.
Along the clifftop, yellow-flowered Gorse trembles in the wind, as Rock Pipits skitter across the short turf. Down below, the ledges are once again crammed with Guillemots, with more dashing in and out from sea on narrow, flickering wings.
Further out, a Great Black-backed Gull powers through the wind, with several Gannets way out to sea – their brilliant white plumage making them unmistakable even at a distance. A skein of Brent Geese flap by, in a loose ‘v’ with Kittiwake and Mediterranean Gull also passing through.
In the scrub near the Globe, the blue petals of Great Periwinkle are starting to unfurl.
A flock of 40 or so Feral Pigeons are scattered across the cliff face above Tilly Whim ledge, taking shelter from the wind, taking flight as a Peregrine Falcon streaks by, just below the clifftop.
The chatter of a flock of Jackdaws echoes around the Gully, while on the Milepost slope, the purple of flowers of Knapweed are still in bloom, along with Yarrow and Wild Carrot.
Tinkling flocks of Goldfinches work their way across the Lighthouse Field, filling up on the dry seed-heads of Teasels and Woolly Thistles.
Overhead, the ‘seep’ of a Redwing, as it passes over the meadows, with Linnets and Chaffinches also on their way through.
A family of Long-tailed Tits work their way along the drove, weaving in and out of the tangle of Old Man’s Beard.
In the woods, the harsh shrieks of Jays heard among the trees, with Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Blue and Great Tit, Robin and Wren also out and about.
As I stopped to look at how work is progressing at the ‘Dell’, I was treated to great views of Goldcrests among the overhanging boughs.