About the car park verges were a few Grape Hyacinths, Speedwells and Lesser Celandines in flowers. Whilst a Raven croaked it was a House Sparrow that was seen perched upon a gutter. Both a Blackbird and a Magpie were visitors to the wildlife garden whilst an unseen Green Woodpecker called. Many Blackberry as well as a few Elders and Hawthorns showed fresh leaves.
There was much Skylark song in the air, I was lucky enough to see a pair land then take off from South Field. A pair of Carrion Crows also patrolled the meadow. I visited Hay Rake quarr but my search for orchid rosettes was fruitless. However, there were several of last years faded Dwarf Thistles and a few Cotoneaster berries clung on. Upon an Ant Hill were Wild Thyme leaves and Bittercress on others. The latter held white flowers and seed pods which would at some point explode and scatter seeds. It was a joy to see a sprinkling of Blackthorn blossom in the hedgerow towards the Small Copse. Earlier a Song Thrush broadcast from here and later I was to see five flowers upon one Winter Heliotrope plant.
Down in the gully ravine the deciduous trees were still leafless. A male Stonechat called from amongst the downland Gorse. Off-shore a trio of Herring Gulls headed east later to be followed by another nine. Guillemots flew low over the sea heading away from land. Today I saw my greatest number of Guillemots since last years breeding season. The cave ledge held eighty-ish, with three having to perch upon the sloping boulder, whilst another eighty were upon the sea with pairs of Razorbills amongst them. Watching the Fulmars made me dizzy, but at least four were in flight! A Rock Pipit came close to me by Tilly Whim steps such that a saw a relatively long beak well designed for catching insects. Whilst unsuccessfully searching for basking reptiles I was pleased to discover the carpet of white Early Scurvy Grass flowers near Tilly Whim steps. A bigger carpet was in bloom below the cliff path near Anvil Point.
A saw a heard a pair of Chiff Chaffs near Lighthouse Road Bridge and finally saw the Raven which called from the lowest Mile Marker. A dark Solitary Bee basked in the sun upon a dried Stinking Iris leaf. The insect’s abdomen pulsated which apparently was its breathing!