The amazing sight and sound of two Peregrine Falcons took pride of place on my early patrol. These two birds screeching loudly to each other (and possibly anyone else) as they came together in mid-air, their actions strengthening the bonds between them. A difference in size could be seen, the female being larger than the male and also slightly browner on her back while, the smaller male was more dark grey.
The ‘chatting; call of Stonechats heard out on the downs, these superb birds perched in full view on the fenceline and the Gorse allowing me to admire them. As they called the whole body moved up and down, the tail bobbing constantly.
The cold wind keeping me on the move until, I crouched down to admire some Early Spider Orchids, once you spot one, others start to pop up as if by magic.
Once on hands and knees the tiny blue flowers of Chalk Milkwort could be seen as they squeezed up amongst the grasses, the white flowers of Whitlow Grass and the bushy heads of Good Friday Grass both adding to the very low growing flowers.
3 Roe Deer (not an antler to see amongst them) emerged from the scrub, a quick sprint uphill be fore stopping to survey me.
A flock of Linnets flew overhead before descending onto the twigs of Tamarisk, their chatter overtaking the call of the Dunnock. The arrival of some Goldfinches and some Greenfinches just added to the chorus of songs.
On the cliff edge the Jackdaws were cackling and chuckling, their grey heads topped with a black cap, Rock Pipits fluttered up and down from their crevices, while a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls hung out on a ledge.
Guillemots once again picked onto the breeding ledge while Razorbills bobbed on the water below and 3 Fulmars soared about. A Shag stood upright its narrow crest waving in the chilly wind.