Outside the centre Goldfinches congregated in a bare Sycamore to become a charm fifteen strong which scared away a Magpie. A golden sun rose above a frosty and icy landscape. The pond surface was glazed with a sheet of ice whilst the picnic benches were dusted in a layer of frost. There was much Blue Tit activity with three being seen close together at one point. In the distance a Green Woodpecker called.
A benefit of the cold temperature was that many patches of soggy, churned clay were now frozen solid. Above the mile markers a Rabbit scampered past. A light wind whistle through the pylon like structures as a pair of Greater Black Backed Gulls headed west. Meanwhile one of the pair of Carrion Crow, flying over Lighthouse Green, called out.
Half a dozen Wood Pigeon were flushed up from the ground of the Goat Plot. The first of many Robins appeared near the upper mile marker as I looked out to a lightly rippled sea. A golden sun beam stretched across the sea whilst also being reflected off the observation point glass panels.
There were plenty of birds upon the sea of the cliff today. Guillemots were accompanied by a few Razorbills as well as a good number of gulls. A trio of Fulmar flew alongside the cliff face. Of course, there was the familiar activity of Jackdaws and Feral Pigeon also. Excellent clear views were given of the Isle of Wight and St. Albans Head. One Shag headed west before turning back to the cliff face. Beside the bedrock coast path steps a “friendly” Rock Pipit called.
Off Anvil Point lumps of floating sea foam resembled miniature ice bergs. I walked over bouncy Red Fescue tussocks to get a better view and retreated via a landscape of moss, stone a Thrift leaves. Rosehips showed both red and a dark purple (to me) on a thorny tendril. A Blue Tit flew from the Pear Tree to a Hawthorn where another pair briefly landed before tumbling off in at least a verbal scuffle. I think it was two Fieldfare that moved about the upper gully. Tumbleweeds of recently cut thorn and bramble awaited collection. Just over the wall in the shade of the small copse several Winter Heliotrope flowered. Nearby my first Chaffinch song of 2021 was heard.