The strong wind this morning propels me across the car park towards long meadow. Where a Stone Chat gets blown across the meadow and unceremoniously comes to land in a clump of scrub off to me left. Seemingly dazed from its turbulent journey it sits on the end of Hawthorn branch trying to work out what to do next, before spotting me and deciding to brave the weather again.
With gusts of up to 46mph recorded today I braced my self for a windy walk. Though walking along the edge of long meadow I was relatively sheltered with the sun on my back warming me. Off to the side of the path some Goldfinches take shelter in an Ash Tree. Over head Jackdaws, Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crows battle against the wind getting blown in every direction apart from the one they want to go in.
In the woods the sound of creaking trees came from interrupted only by the sound of Robin song. To the side on the path one lone Winter Flowering Heliotrope braced itself against the wind.
Below the caravan terrace bridge the dell is alive with Goldfinches buzzing around the scrub below, the sun catches on there red faces and gold stripes. They chatter amongst themselves as they take full advantage of this sheltered area.
Down in Durlston bay the waves crash in dramatic fashion into the rocky shore. Just off Durlston head giant waves form as they come round the corner crashing over themselves before reaching the shore. My hair stands on end from the force of the wind as I walk along the cliff path.
Below the globe five brave Guillemots form a raft on the rough sea, being thrown up and down by the waves. Further along the usually graceful Fulmars struggle to make their perfect loops in and out of the cliffs getting buffeted by the wind in all directions. A Shag attempts to fly out to sea before giving up and allowing itself to be blown back towards the cliffs.
Above Tilly Whim caves I spot two Adders sunbathing, all though windy the sun is bright and warm this morning. A darker male stands out against the green of the grass it chosen as its sunbathing spot, while a smaller paler female is just visible through my binoculars.