Having a frost, at Langton I was surprised to see none at Durlston. With high cloud there was excellent visibility, however, although I saw Anvil Point and the Needles Lighthouses “blink” St. Catherine’s Head light went unseen. I passed a silent Carrion Crow perched in a Sycamore. Upon the healed scar, where limbs had been removed from a Holm Oak, one silent Magpie perched. I attempted to turn on water troughs in Lighthouse Field and the Goat Plot, without success, as we hope to soon have the cattle grazing in Lighthouse Field.
First one then another Hen Pheasant flew up from near the walling centre whilst a third called further inland. Within the shelter of the walling centre a Burdock retained burrs in the absence of any large mammal (even human) brushing past it. One Blue Tit, that was calling, showed a slight breast stripe normally associated with the Great Tit. The latter later seen whilst taking weather readings.
I first heard a Raven calling near the cliffs. I later saw a trio in the upper gully. Finally, I saw a lone calling Raven leave a Mile Marker perch to join the others somewhere west. From the diagonal path I heard Guillemots gargling. I heard the trilling of at least two Wrens, although only one of these “bird mice” seen. But one Gannet was noted to fly west offshore. A clear pair of Shags flew in the same direction only to be passed by another in the opposite direction. Cliff cave occupancy was such that three Guillemot occupied the sloping boulder perch. Thirty of the birds we upon the sea just off the cliffs.
It made me smile when a Jackdaw pairs huddled together. One pair upon the overhead wires, another upon a Mile Marker. At the foot of this nautical structure a pale male Stonechat emerged. At the gully mouth the lower ledge with its rock pools and seaweed cover was occasionally tickle by a light wave. Ascending the gully, I passed bare Apple and Pear, however, Privet held leaves amongst the Blackthorn. There was a clear Bank Vole hole & sol pile beside the road. A second pile with a quarr hollow appeared to be one of our possible Mole Hill candidates, or perhaps not! Between Carrion Crow calls I heard the gentle lapping waves below. Greater Black Backed Gulls headed west. At one point Herring Gulls circled mewing over the gully.