Yesterday evening upon my departure, I caught the call “Too Wit” and then response “Too Woo” respectively being that of a male then a female Tawny Owl. On the way in a Jay ventured across my path. Smiling amongst short grassland were Common Daisy flowers. It might have been eight Starlings that disappeared into scrub cover. Only one Carrion Crow was seen upon south field, although others called from the Large Copse. Mist over the meadows meant I would not view the cattle in the distance (or much else for that matter!). Whilst bare upright Sycamore lightly swayed in a breeze the evergreen Holm Oaks produced a greater reaction.
Entering the uneven downland landscape, I heard an unseen Raven. The sea was visible with the cloud “meeting it” upon the horizon. Beneath the electricity wires I heard the feint crackling as the electric reacted with the moist air. Making a 360 degree turn over the gully mouth were the Racing Pigeons. Following the cackle of Jackdaws, I spotted two upon a Lighthouse complex rooftop and another perch at the top of a telegraph pole. Fox “leavings” were upon the smooth, slippery rock near the gully limestone outcrop. Knee high Gorse needle made their presence known to me.
A line of froth and foam drifted just off the sea cliffs. In undulating flight, a Greater Black Backed Gull flew alongside the coast path. The first low flying Shag headed west before stopping off Tilly Whim wave-cut platform. Soon a second Shag flew west past the first. It was a treat to see first one, then two and eventually three Fulmar in elegant arcing flight off the cliff face. Guillemots huddled in their sea cave with birds arriving and departing. There was a brief flurry of Feral Dove activity then I saw a third Shag, although this one headed west. Perhaps this was the one I latter observed diving just beyond the froth and rocks near Durlston Head. A Magpie squawked upslope in land. Sunbeams were reflected off the sea, whilst the sun itself remained obscured in cloud. More Jackdaw cackle was heard from the canopy of castle wood.
Hamish stood starring out to sea at Durlston Head. He had seen Gannets, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and three Red Throated Divers out there. Looking across the bays Old Harry Rocks was still visible despite the mist.