A patrol across the farmland started my day, the ground a little drier and less muddy than of late – not sure how long that will last! Accompanying me was the ticking of Robins, their bright red breasts a flash of light in the gloom.
From overhead the sound of migration still taking place with A variety of finches calling as they travelled. This included numerous Goldfinches, easily spotted by both sound and sight. The others could only be told apart by their calls, from the ‘twitter’ of the Linnets, the chirp of Redpoll and buzz of Siskins and of Bramblings.
Many of the dry-stone walls are encased in the rambling ropes of Old Man’s Beard or Traveller’s Joy as it is also known, its wispy off-white heads covering some areas as it mingles with the bright green leaves of Ivy, whose pale yellow flowers were still attracting few hardy insects this morning, such as a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee and a Drone Fly.
As I was having a quick look at our herd of Hereford Cattle, who are busy grazing the rough grasses of the Lighthouse Field (please shut the gates), a single Pied Wagtail flew overhead, while another strutted across the short turf of the Green,
Popping up along the coast a number of Rock Pipits, giving me a good enough view to compare with the Meadow Pipits I had spotted a little earlier on the downs. As I looked a flash of red alerted me to the presence of a Black Redstart.
This male Black Redstart was hopping around the top of the wall, wagging its tail, the dark grey body had white bars on the wings. A second, female or juvenile, also in the area.
Perched on the cliffs a Peregrine Falcon, a few of its feathers looking a little dishevelled, poking out sideways and wafting in the breeze.
The Guillemots were once again all packed onto the ledge, mostly now looking very smart having changed into their breeding plumage.
Skimming past were 5 Brent Geese, 3 Common Scoter while high above the Castle a Cormorant took a short cut.
A delightful display of the bright pink balls of the European Spindle adding great colour to the path near the car park