What a glorious change from recent mornings, with the sun rising producing lovely orange colourations across Durlston.
As I headed down towards the clifftops, a loud whooshing came from above and 500+ Wood Pigeons were flying overhead, a spectacular sight sound, all part of the many thousands moving around the country at the moment.
On the water 7 Guillemots with a further 100ish standing upright on their main ledge, many of these sporting their non-breeding plumage of white heads, while some have already returned to their all brown (breeding) feather colouration.
A few moments spent leaning on the wall admiring the sea, which in places was dotted with lumps of white, at a quick glance I mistook these for gulls, but a peek through binoculars soon proved me very wrong, as these were blobs of frothy bubbles!!
From above as I walked across Lighthouse Green, came the tinkling calls of a flock of Goldfinches, as well as some Chaffinches and a few Siskin. Peeking out from the Tamarisk was a Chiffchaff.
Taking flight from amongst the patches of rough Tor Grass were some Meadow Pipits, the characteristic calling recognised as they moved, on landing the sun was lighting up their feathers, showing off their delicate markings.
Silhouetted on the top of a spindly Blackthorn was a Stonechat, the orange breast not visible until I changed position avoiding the sun, as I did so a Bullfinch emerged from a Wayfaring Tree, the white rump disappearing amongst the Wild Clematis carpet.
This is a good time to admire the fungi with a bright yellow Parrot Wax Cap showing on the downland, as well as the slimy Field Blewitts, Field Mushrooms, Puffball and Yellow Stainer, plus Sulphur Tuft and Common Bonnet