The first Bird Boat of the year went out last night and everyone on board was treated to the perfect evening for a boat trip. All the usual suspects were seen, Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags, Fulmars and Cormorants. Two pairs of Kittiwakes and a juvenile were also seen. A Puffin also put in a very brief appearance, poking its head out just as we were leaving.
A glorious morning great me at the park, warm enough to not require a jumper. A haze still hangs over the sea keeping the Isle of White just out of sight. Heading through south field a beautiful display of Cowslips, Buttercups and Yellow Rattle.
Looking round the hay rake quar in saxon lots of Early Spider Orchids are still in flower. Chalk Milkwort is also in flower small paths of bright blue catch the eye. Then I spot the plant I had come this way to see, Early English Gentian, small patches of deep purple give its location away. The small flowers just starting to open in the early morning sunshine. Heading through the south end of the field I admire lots of Early Purple Orchids, the ones in the field growing tall and towering over the grass. Above the familiar sound of a Skylark singing fills the air. In the scrub the scratchy call of a White Throat can be heard, before it pops out and sits at the top of the scrub.
Down the steep hill past the mile markers, lots of small patches of pale green, Yellow Vetchling can be seen as well as large patch of Crosswort. Towards the bottom of the hill large patches of Kidney Vetch can be see in full bloom, clusters of small yellow flowers on stems creeping their way across the ground.
The cliffs are alive with activity with a large raft of Guillemots bobbing on the water. A Raven circles near the Guillemot ledges, diving into an unseen ledge at one point while the Guillemots burst from the cliffs in wake, it comes back out empty handed and continues circling. Above a Kestrel soars past, while below Fulmars soar in and out of the cliffs edge.
Back up the hill past the castle, where people are gathering for the start of park run. Two Wall Lizards can be seen just poking out from behind the tablets of the castle wall.