What a change from the warm sunshine of yesterday, with a strong southerly wind gusting in. Down to the cliffs where the seabirds were battling against or taking advantage of the breeze, with Fulmars gliding superbly, seemingly much more in control and able to turn on a whim than the Shag that struggled to end up at its nest.
Guillemots galore, many flying higher than often seen proving some very good views of these chunky ‘flying penguins’ for even better vies come into the Castle and see them on our remote controlled cliff camera – see if you can spot the eggs.
Just off the cliffs a Gannet stalled and then plunged straight into the water, always a spectacular sight, after remerging it bobbed on the water, but I couldn’t tell if it had been successful in its fishing.
An Oystercatcher piped it call alerting me to its presence, another of our black and white birds to be seen – this one with a bright orange bill.
Some bright pink patch of Thrift – or Sea Pinks – alongside Sea Campion catching the eye, while a Rock Pipit zoomed upwards singing loudly, dropping back to earth a little further on.
The leaves of both Ash and Oak now mostly out – I think the Oak was first – so we will see if the old rhyme holds true and we are in for a soak.
Flitting through the branches a Chiffchaff, the constant movement making watching difficult as it disappeared behind the twigs and leaves, but every now and then it showed itself well, to help with identification it also called – ‘chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff – makes life very easy!
The meadows are wonderful at the moment, with the Cowslips mixing with Bulbous Buttercups and clumps of Red Clover, plus a smattering of Pale Flax blowing delicately in the wind.
Common Vetch providing individual small purple spots, and in some of the fields the tall Early Purple Orchids a more pinkish colour. Along the hedgerows the early fronds of Hart’s-tongue Fern are starting to unfurl.