I walked a wet woodchip path as a breeze rustled Holm Oak leaves. From the diagonal path the sea looked calm albeit having a corduroy like surface. A Song Thrush sang out from somewhere near the Goat Plot. Guillemots were seen perform low flights over the sea whilst Herring Gulls had reason to circle above. Today there was great visibility revealing all the Isle of Wight to the east and St. Alban’s Chapel to the west. A low sea skimming shag flew west whilst a Greater Black Backed Gull followed at height.
Whilst the Guillemot cave was vacant a pair of Peregrine Falcons perched on the cliff face above. The pair were about one metre apart and faced each other. Later one flew past the gully mouth heading west only to return shortly after. Out towards Durlston Head it was a pair of Greater Black Backed Gulls that occupied the highest ledge. I eventually spotted a few Guillemots upon the sea, but they were outnumbered by floating gulls for a change. A Rock Dove placed its wings in a upright “V” so to descend the cliff face. Although I passed a dozen Rock Doves above Tilly Whim, I could not avoid disturbing the additional eight which were resting on the bedrock coastal steps. Of course, I passed a Rock Pipit that hopped between the “cock & hen” cappers of a wall. Behind me carried the sound of a gargling Guillemot.
A pair of Jackdaws flew down the gully whilst a pair of Carrion Crow occupied the overhead wire either side of a telegraph post. The cliff tops were a carpet of succulents, plantains and other basal rosettes of leaves and of course Thrift leaf cushions. Through the leafless trees I glimpse the arch of lighthouse road horseshoe shape bridge. Beside the bridge a Blue Tit pecked at Haws then wiped its beak upon the very branch it stood upon. As I climbed up the gully the sun had risen as a full golden orb over the Lighthouse. Magpies cackled an exchange as I saw finally found Winter Heliotrope in flower at the Small Copse. Goldfinches & Blue Tits shared a Buddleia in the Wildlife Garden as a pair of House Sparrows occupied a neighbouring Blackthorn. Enjoy the sun!