A distinct change in the weather, with a thick grey covering of cloud, fluffy clumps of dark grey below a paler grey layer.
Against this backdrop a fly past of Jackdaws, these small corvids being swept past by the gusting south westerly wind, some appearing not to want to go the way they were being taken!
The cliffs definitely the place to go, on the water 100ish Guillemots bobbing with 25 Razorbills counted in amongst them and on the cliffs, another 150ish Guillemots could be seen huddled on the upper ledge, as I looked back from near Tilly Whim.
The sea a frothy, churning grey, blending together with the sky at times in the distance. Skimming above the water were Fulmars, a magical bird to watch in flight, and this morning 8 were spotted (recently only 3 or 4 have been present) so this was a great bonus for me.
From just off Durlston Head came the screeching call of a Peregrine Falcon. Which then flew hugging the rock edge, this bird has a pale grey back and darker grey wings.
Perched on an outcrop a little further on second Peregrine, the wind ruffling its feathers considerably.
The rain was being blown in like little daggers, making for a painful walk up the hill, but on the plus side to avoid the vicious water I was staring down at the ground and could see a number of Early Spider Orchid rosettes almost ready to open up, to show off the furry brown ‘spider’.
Also on the turf was a Lesser Bloody-nosed Beetle, wandering slowly across leaves of the Glaucous Sedge.
From the more sheltered area of the woodland a Chaffinch was calling, as was a Chiffchaff which I was able to spot in amongst the newly emerged pale leaves of the Japanese Spindle.