A Jay took to flight as a journeyed up the approach road. It was a good that November started better the October ended! It was not long before a flock of sixty Woodpigeon were seen overhead. This was to be a familiar site this morning, however, I witnessed eighty plus leave the download and head seawards. The first of their migraters perhaps? Inevitably, Robins tutted about the car park margins. Amongst the leaf little about the timeline a Grey Squirrel scampered.
Inconveniently, for me, a cluster of Winter Gnats flew at my head height near the Dell Bridge. The sound of the smooth rolling of boulders came up from Durlston Bay. The sun shone of Durlston Head, whilst, thanks to recent Tamarisk cutting, the sea views were enjoyed. A trio of Jackdaws perched upon on of the castle turrets as others flew passed. Another trio, this time Herring Gulls, flew west along the coast. I saw one, then another Shag depart from the lower sea cliff face and both flew east. Below the Globe a Peregrine Falcon perched facing inland / west as more Wood Pigeon flew nearby.
A Greater Black Backed Gull land and perched near the sea cave. Today the cave contained a huddle of some forty-ish Guillemot huddled together. I watched a coastal container vessel on the horizon whilst silent aircraft crossed patches of blue sky. Beside the coast path, a Dunnock preened on an Elder branch that poked through thorny scrub. There was much chattering about the coast path which included Goldfinch vocals. Near the gully mouth a pair of Rock Pipits were upon the cliff edge. Meadow Pipits explored the downland slop in land. I walked upon spongy Red Fescue clumps then saw Goldfinches in a gully Sycamore, another two passed the Holly whilst a trio were upon another Sycamore. Eventually a score made up a charm of these chattering delights.
The occasional wind was vocalised by its passage through the overhead wires and measured mile markers. I followed part of the butterfly transect route through the gully, however, both soil creep and Gorse growth made it increasingly awkward to negotiate. Both Jackdaws and Goldfinches perched in the large Sycamore beside the horseshoe shaped road bridge.
Uphill a Jay disappeared into cover near the Small Copse and another, or the same, into the wildlife garden. A good enough morning for me!