I started my patrol through the car parks, soon the edges of which will be filled with a colourful display of flora. While admiring newly flowering Crocus may attention was drawn to flash of movement as a Jay flew from round the corner and up into the surrounding trees. A group of Long-tailed Tits were moving around one of the Bramble thickets, even though keeping very close to the protected westerly side I was surprised they could fly at all being such tiny birds.
I made my way through the tunnel of overhanging Privet, Holm Oak, Ash and Sycamore, hearing the sound of a Great-tit which sounds like ‘Tea-cher, tea-cher, tea-cher’. A Grey Squirrel was rustling around in the undergrowth, I was slightly jealous of their soft silky fur and bushy tail. Above an Ash and Beach tree were rubbing against each other making an interesting squeaky noise.
At the observation point I stopped to listen to the trees; on the inland side the psitherisum of Holm Oak leaves rustle in the wind and on the sea-side the wind whips through the tall slender Tamarisk sounding like a wind tunnel. Nature is truly dancing today!
Looking along the clifftop two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were huddled close to the cliffs and as I searched along, the heads of two Jackdaws peered out from a little nook in the limestone cliff. On the water a group of 20 Razorbills and 5 Guillemots floated around on top of the white crashing waves.
Tilly Whim was a phenomenal sight the easterly wind was sending huge rolling waves directed at Tilly Whim. The waves hurtled and roared towards the cliff making an almighty crash as the waves covered the 100ft cliff face. I hope the hibernating Bats are well hidden within the caves.
One final search out to see before I made my way back up into the woods, revealed a Gannet, a Fulmar and a Guillemot all heading east. Back in the woods I stopped to observe a strange creature like stump, to me it looked like a ‘Grizzly Bear’ standing on its back legs, nature does have a funny way of keeping us entertained and letting our imagines run wild.