This month has been true to it’s name with (sometimes quite heavy!) April showers falling intermittently between glorious Spring sunshine. But for now, its clear with no ominous grey clouds in sight.
The road ahead of me sweeps down to Anvil Point Lighthouse, which shines a brilliant bright white in the morning sun. The white is reflected in that of the blossoming fruit trees; Wild Cherry and Pear having now joined Blackthorn in flower. Below the blue sky, good numbers of Goldfinch, and Linnet passing overhead.
I pause by the Gully bridge: It’s winterbourne bed now filled with Male Fern, Wood Dock, and Nettle. Here, Woodpigeons coo to one another in the Sycamore, a female Blackbird sits amongst the Old Man’s beard, but it’s a tiny little Wren who fills the soundscape with its sweet tweets in song.
I take a right onto Round Down and head towards the coastal path. I find Early Spider Orchids, Spearwort, and a good few Meadow Pipit playfully darting about, just beyond the kissing gate. A little further past the Gorse, I find some Green-veined Orchids and a patch of Woolly Thistle leaves starting to emerge.
Further along the downs, Hamish reports passing Whimbrel, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Wheatear, and Yellowhammer. I turn back eastward to find Jackdaw scampering across the green between patches of Bluebell and Scurvy Grass.
More Woodpigeons float around a calm sea at Tilly Whim. The water so clear you can see all of the rocks below the surface. I always enjoy the pitter-patter of a Shag’s wings as it preens itself on the water nearby.
Further along the clifftop trail I find that no Guillemots remain on the ledge and instead gather on the water below. Their number, interspersed with grumpy sounding Razorbills. Fulmars in flight and Oystercatchers below the quarry ledges again. On returning to the office, Ali reports hearing a Cuckoo by the Large Copse.