A rather grey and damp start to the day, though feeling much warmer than the last week.
As I stepped between the new oak pillars at Sunnydale and onto the Park, I was immediately greeted with the sight of a Great Spotted Woodpecker perched on a ‘monolithed’ trunk – left high rather than felled, as it is full of woodpecker holes!
Nearby, a Tree-creeper scuttles up the smooth, speckled bark of a London Plane, with Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Dunnock and Robin all feeding on the ground in the Aviary Glade.
Some patches of green on the woodland floor, as fresh green leaves of Snowdrop, Three-cornered Leek, Herb Robert and Spring Crocus push their way up among the fallen leaves.
Lots of scuffs in the woodchip paths, where Badgers have been searching for food.
Up in the canopy, Grey Squirrels squabble and scrap, with Goldcrest, Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Wren all busy among the high canopy, with a handsome male Bullfinch holding court above Caravan Terrace.
Along the cliffs, a steady stream of passing Gannets – bright white against a steely-grey sea. A few small passing flocks of Razorbills and Guillemots, with a lovely view of a single Brent Goose, passing unusually close – just a couple of hundred yards out.
Mediterranean Gull also passing by, along with Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Shags.
Returning to the Centre, a Peregrine Falcon passes overhead, while as I write, 2 Song Thrushes and a Blackbird are feeding on the short turf just outside the windows.