Despite the wind, there were plenty of butterflies and birds on the wing this morning. The first sighting of the day was a Tree Pipit
The bramble is now boasting an array of green, red and a glossy dark violet fruit, the latter attracting warblers and finches galore.
All along the hedgerows from the learning centre to the gully there were pairs of Greenfinch and Bullfinch; charms of Goldfinches (20 strong), parcels of Linnets and the odd Chaffinch. Warbler-wise; Blackcaps, Whitethroats Willows, Gardens and Chiffchaffs are all still present and very active.
The meadow’s grasses are turning from emerald to gold, although there are still plenty of wildflowers in bloom. The butterflies are still taking full advantage of them, Common Blue, Adonis Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and both White buttiflies made up the bulk of sightings this morning.
The Gully was full of birds this morning. The highlight being 4 Spotted Fly-catcher, doing exactly what their name suggests! Perching, looping, striking and perching once more, like clockwork.
As I reached the clifftops, I was greeted by the white rump of a small busy bird. Named after the Anglo-Saxon for ‘White bottom’, the Wheatear does in fact have a particularly conspicuous white rump when in flight. As I went over to say hi to our Hereford cows, 5 juvenile Wheatear landed on the wire fence, happily bobbing.
Walking towards the castle along the coast path, the sky was a whirlwind of Gulls, the Peregrine shot over and The Ravens were showing off, barrel rolling and diving.
The winter tree work seems to have injected some life underneath the canopy of Holm Oak. A variety of native saplings have emerged and are starting to establish themselves, Wayfaring Tree along the play trail boarders, Elm suckers behind the dry stone walls and Ash in the glades.
Today’s Diary written by Sammy Allen