This morning I went to go see the Herefords grazing in the bottom corner of Field 10 next to the Lighthouse Field. Most of them were still dozing on the ground with any energy going into whipping their tails back and forth to bat away any pesky flies. A group of Jackdaws scrounge around in the field around them, one of them brave enough to momentarily hop onto the back of one of the cows.
From here I walked towards Anvil Point, taking a lower route above the climbing ledges where the slopes turn grey with scree. You can get a close view of the seabirds down here as you descend the slope and the sound of the sea becomes sploshy with small swells and ripples rebounding off the cliffs. The high-pitched calls of a few juvenile Herring Gulls can be heard above, whilst a Greater Black-backed Gull glides past, it’s massive wings outstretched at eye level.
At Tilly Whim Golden Samphire covers the rocky surface with sunny yellow flowers in bloom. Rock Samphire can also be found with its similarly thick swollen leaves which have evolved to retain water and be resilient in this exposed, salty, coastal environment.
Further along the coast path I spied a Peregrine Falcon perched atop the usual outcrop. With her head tilted forward, she actively scans the sea cliffs below. I round a corner and her head jolts upwards and eyes fixate on me until I pass. At this point I realise a second Peregrine sits further below. This one less fussed, repeatedly ruffling his feathers to look like he’s put on a cosy puffer jacket.
The bird ringers had a very busy morning, with a Common Redstart amongst a whole host of Warblers; Reed, Sedge, Blackcap, Garden, Grasshopper, Willow, Whitethroat, and Lesser Whitethroat!