When I awoke to sunshine, I was pleasantly surprised, I’m pretty sure the weather last night said it was going to rain all day. Now it looks like we have a lovely day in store with sun and up to 18 degrees. The woodlands were damp and dark as I entered, with occasional drips of water coming from the full canopy above. Flying around overhead, Herring Gulls were making their morning wake up call, while the piercing noise of a Wren came from below the tall undergrowth.
The woods were quiet today, a couple of Speckled Wood butterflies flitted around, and the only distinct sounds were from a nearby Magpie calling out and a Wood Pigeon cooing. A sudden movement turned my attention as two Grey Squirrels performed acrobatics jumping through the air from Holm Oaks to Corsican Pine. Another Magpie was sat on a dry-stone wall, it’s blue/green feather glistening in the sunlight. Juvenile Blue Tits were calling and moving around the long grasses and a beautiful Bullfinch was also in the mix.
Goldfinches sang from the top of some Elm trees and as I approached the observation point a Gannet flew around far out to sea. On the cliff tops the Great Black-backed Gulls and their three chicks were nestled on their ledge, Herring Gulls sat observing out to sea and a few pairs of Fulmars were tucked into crevasse. A gorgeous Kestrel flew past just under the observation point. A little further along the coast path two Kestrels flew past either side of me at head height, quiet a spectacular scene.
The overpowering smell of Guillemots made me walk slightly quicker along a section of path. There were 30+ down on the water and an almost packed ledge, a few Razorbills in the mix too. Three Shags flew west low to the water and Rock Pipits moved around the cliff top.
The coast path is full of colour now, with Century, Black Medick, Hop Trefoil, Common Madder, Lady’s Bedstraw and Bindweed. Near Tilly Whim the beautiful Bee Orchids are still in flower, mixed with the lovely Kidney Vetch. Stonechats were singing there lovely song and a Whitethroat sang it’s scratchy tune from the top of an Ash tree. I watched a Thrush as it moved leaves around with its beak, then fly off with a mouthful of worms, mmmm breakfast!!!!