Monday 17th

Following the ravages of Storm Dennis over the weekend it was hoped that the sea might be interesting. However, an hour looking into occasional spells of sunshine produced little more than 94 Kittiwakes, 19 auks and a slight increase to 14 Great Crested Grebes.

Friday 14th

On a lovely winter morning 2 more Skylarks flew in off the sea, 2 Little Egrets were fishing at the rock pools below, 7 Song Thrushes were singing and a Peregrine and a Merlin were noisily scrapping over the valley.

Wednesday 12th

Bright with a frisky W breeze this appears to be the rose between the two stormy thorns of Ciara and Dennis. Nevertheless, there were some signs of spring with a Coal Tit singing in the Lower Wood, a Mistle Thrush at White Cliff (my first this year) and a drumming Great Spot in the Hollow Wood.

Thursday 6th

Calm and cold with lingering frost in sheltered hollows it was cloud-free and a stupendous winter morning. Apart from Dunnocks and Robins singing their heads off all over the place the usual suspects included a Raven, a Peregrine and 2 Stonechats by the lighthouse.

Wednesday 5th

With blackthorn blossom at the top of the valley and continuing mild conditions it was not surprising to encounter a probable migrant flock of 8 Meadow Pipits by the lighthouse and a Skylark in off the sea at Fan Bay. Make the most of it, though – the weekend looks horrid.

Monday 3rd

The morning was bright with a brisk SW breeze and typically quiet for early February, though Sparrowhawk and Goldcrest were seen on the farm and a party of Long-tailed Tits jumping about on the ground by the top wood contained a nearly white-headed individual, quiet possibly the same as was seen in the top wood last August.