The sound of a Tawny Owl hooting heard as I ventured out into the gloom of December, the sun yet to rise but providing a pale aura across the sea.
Out across the meadows, which are sticky with mud after the deluge of the weekend, and a flock of Long-tailed Tits hung and swung through the thick ropes of the Wild Clematis, their constant chittering ensuring they couldn’t be missed.
Perched on a long stem of a Bramble was a Blackbird, while nearby a Dunnock was moving between the thorns.
Overhead the loud call of a Pied Wagtail made me look upwards, where I could see the long tail of this black and white bird as it flew westwards.
In amongst the grasses of the field occasional dirty white balls can be spotted, these the clocks of the Rough Hawksbit, a dandelion type flower.
The clouds making a wonderful display, radiating in streaks from the south east, lines of fluffy strips of cirrus interspersed by blue sky.
Taking flight from the scrub near the lighthouse road bridge were two Bullfinches, first their white rumps visible as they flew, then after landing the pink breasts provided a flash of colour.
Down by the cliffs a couple of Rock Pipits strut across the rocks, while a few Meadow Pipits were flying overhead. Along the cliffs the Guillemot ledge was empty, although a couple were flying past at a distance.
The Stinking Iris berries are turning from bright orange to red as they start to go over, the tall long leaves easily recognised.
The Hereford cattle busily munching on the rough Tor Grass in Lighthouse Field, as they continue their important conservation management, which aims to improve the short calcareous limestone grassland which in turn provides important habitats for invertebrates.