Sadly the crispyness of yesterday’s frost not present today, so instead of the white solid ground, we are now back to the layer of slippery mud across the meadows – so to the coast for the hard non-muddy paths.
Here the Guillemots were again about in numbers, a line of 30 or so bobbing on the water, loud growling calls wafting up the rock face to be answered by the hundred or more who were standing upright on the ledges.
The high pitched piping call of a Rock Pipit made me turn and looked at this speckled brown and grey bird which was hopping around the cliffs and boulders, another one emerging from the shadows as I watched.
The sudden ripping sound of the air was caused by a flock of 20 or so Feral Pigeons, speeding just over my head, making me duck, although I am fairly sure they were missing me!
The lighting quite wonderful as the sun slowly rose over the sea, colours changing from dark grey, through blues to pinks and oranges, the lighthouse highlighted at one point by a single shaft of glorious gold. – my camera ran out of battery at this point so no photos!
The red berries of Cotoneaster noticeable against the dull green and brown backdrop, good food for some birds but also needs careful management so this invasive shrub doesn’t take over.
On the downs a spike of the pink flowers of Field Madder caught the eye, as did a little later, the yellow tube of a Crocus.
Around the Small Copse the large roundish leaves of Winter Heliotrope, emerging from these plants the pinkish almond smelling flowers, the smell wafting my way in the light breeze.
Two Bullfinches landed in the branches of the Wayfaring Tree, the dull pink chests turned to face me, before they took flight again allowing a good view of their bright white rumps just before as they disappeared around the corner.