With the longest day now behind us, the seabirds are coming towards the end of their breeding season with chicks galore. On the cliffs the calling of Guillemots could be heard last night above the wind and the rain, their piping calls being answered by the growling of their parents, just waiting for some better weather before leaping off the cliffs and paddling out to the ocean. Have a look at them on the camera in the Castle, or on the video on our website.
This morning on the water Razorbills and more Guillemots, these adults having a wash before returning to parental duties.
Great views of a Shag as it flew past me, the greenish gleam fairly obvious, while down on the cliffs some greyish chicks clung to their perch.
Skimming above the calmish water was a gleaming white Gannet, its huge size making it easy to spot.
A loud piercing cry came from above were scything across was a Peregrine Falcon clutching something in tis talons, perhaps taking breakfast back to chicks?
Flitting in the Tamarisk a family of Linnets, pink caps and chests, while the greyish youngsters of Great Tits perched in the Blackthorn. A flash of white rump saw a Bullfinch whizz by, and on the ledges below Rock Pipits walked.
On this overcast morning the flowers a little bedraggled, but still wonderful carpets of Kidney Vetch, Thrift and Wild Thyme, plus Common Mallow. The round heads of Wild Carrot now popping up all over, while Ladies Bedstraw, Hedge Bedstraw are both now out.
Across the meadows Ox-Eye Daisies galore, plus Rough Hawksbit, Common Spotted Orchids, Grass Vetchling, Corky-fruited Dropwort, Tufted Vetch and showing off its beauty, the occasional delicate pink Bee Orchid.
A glimpse of a hovering Kestrel before it dropped down and disappeared in amongst the grasses, above my the sound of a Sklyark.