A beautiful yellow show of Lesser Celandine spread across the Aviary Glade this morning, also known as the ‘poor man’s weathervane’ due to their night-time hiding from the sun. A Grey Squirrel made a loud scratching noise as it scurried up a Holm Oak and a Great tit sang out from high in the tree canopy.
On a dusk walk last night Bats flew around the Sunnydale area and weaved in and out of the trees. Coming into spring we see the arrival of new life, today I was looking at leaves and buds of the woodland trees. The Horse Chestnut is really coming out now their large sticky buds extruding out from the thick branches, Hazel catkins are hanging delicately from swaying thin branches and the leaves of Elm are also starting to form.
A Treecreeper was calling from a Holm Oak and a couple of Goldcrests moved around the dense Privet. A group of Long-tailed tits flitted across the path from tree to tree and a very loud Blue tit was singing from within a Sycamore tree.
A spotted a Magpie sitting on top of a dry-stone wall it looked excessively large as it fluffed up its feathers. A patch of Ivy had created a beautiful plait criss-crossing as it made its way skywards. The fresh juicy lime green leaves of Bramble also showing and looking more vivid in the morning sun.
As a Wood Pigeon took flight it made a frantic flap out of the Holm Oak and an angry Blackbird called from within the dense leaves of Holm Oak. As I peered over the cliffs 10 or so Jackdaws took flight, Fulmars did their usual circling of the cliffs and a string of Guillemots bobbed on the water. A Raven made a noisy entrance as it croaked and flew parallel to the clifftop. Rock Pipits danced around the ledges, a Stonechat sat at the top of the Tamarisk and Early Scurvy Grass now covers the clifftop in small white flowers.
Skylarks sang from above the meadows and in the hide Greenfinch, Blue tits, Robin and a hen Pheasant were all seen.