Chillier than recent mornings with a larger covering of misty cloud, plus for the first time for a few days some real fluffy white clouds dotted in the sky!
The loud squawk of a Pheasant, made me look and admire the stunning white collared bird, his head a deep blue and body dark chestnut. Scuttling nearby was a much more subtly marked hen Pheasant.
Overhead a Kestrel came into view, the long thin tail and delicate body easily marking it out from any of the other birds of prey, and then it hovered, such a magnificent action as its head remains still while the rest of the body shifts in mid-air.
Along the cliffs 3 Fulmars were circling in and around the rock face, as they passed an outcrop the cackling sound of another Fulmar came from the crevice. Watching these birds, which may well have been living here at Durlston longer than me, is always a joy!
Flying low across the water was a couple of Shags, on both the wispy crest could be seen, and as one dropped onto the water just below the yellow colour around the beak could be seen, as could the greenish tinge as the sunlight reflected.
Once more a mass of Guillemots packed on the ledges, but it will be another couple of weeks until they are here fulltime, day and night, as they prepare to lay their one precious egg.
On the water 5 Razorbills were bobbing, two in two pairs the other in amongst the scattering of Guillemots.
Standing on the cliffs were a couple of Herring Gulls, with a couple of last years young slowly wafting their way past.
A small flock of Meadow Pipits and a couple of Pied Wagtails were heading north, while on the ground a small flock of Goldfinches.
Just as I finish writing, a Great Tit is inspecting a bollard, popping in and out.