The sound of squabbling House Sparrows coming from the gutters and eaves of the centre, these multi-toned brown birds flapping and chatting was a delight at the start of this dull grey morning.
Goldfinches erupting from the patch of Teasels and thistles, flashes of gold, white, red and black as they moved from the wilting dead heads of the Woolly and Creeping Thistle, to the erect grey stems and spiny seed-heads of the Teasel.
A wonderful view of a male Kestrel, the characteristic delicate shape, long tail and chestnut and grey colouring easily spotted as it floated slowly passed. This species of bird of prey is getting increasingly rare so hopefully it is enjoying the habitats here on the National Nature Reserve.
On the banks of some of the old limestone quarries, Cotoneaster plants are showing well. These invasive garden escapes are currently covered in juicy red berries, but it not managed can start to take over the delicate short downland habitat.
Amongst the leaves of the short grasses and wildflowers, are snails, mostly small, including the tall spiral shaped Cochlicella acuta and the brown and white Brown-lipped Snail - Cepaea nemoralis.
The cliffs again being occupied by some Guillemots, then a sudden blurr of activity and 80 or so took off with a black and white whirr and headed southwards, flying just above the grey sea.
Below on the water 28 Razorbills were bobbing, the numbers this year are higher and earlier than usual.
Further out an intermittent seabird movement, with 8 Red-throated Divers, a couple of Common Scoter and 2 Brent Geese.
Flocks of gulls included Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mediterranean Gull and Kittiwake, as well as Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gulls.
The large white wings of Gannets also catching the attention as they glided, the black tip showing as they dipped.