I had to admire the Park Run volunteers already out sweeping leaves, place signs and safety barriers. Always ready to encourage and enable the participants, even in wind & rain.
In castle wood a score of Sloes decorated an otherwise bare Blackthorn, whilst Wild Madder held berries below. Leaf wearing Holm Oak branches moved far more than those of bare Sycamore, in the wind. Water trickle in a narrow stream down the diagonal path as Teasel stems vigorously dancing in the wind. From scrub cover a Woodpigeon ascended whilst a Gannet was spotted close to the sea cliffs. The seabird flew west then east then in an “S” shaped pattern to the west. Another raced past from the west only to stop and turn off the Observation Point. At most five Gannets were seen together off Tilly Whim’s wave cut platform. I was delighted to finally be rewarded by seeing eighty or so Guillemots huddled into their cliff cave, although they remained stationary like dark brown and white skittle. Who could blame them? A trio of high-flying Cormorant returned to the cliffs. Despite occasional “Tiger Pouncing” waves Shag remained upon the sea off the gully mouth. Pieces of Sea Kelp were found upon the rocky mouth. A Rock Pipit appeared on the land / sea interface.
Many small conical a round tiny snail shells less than 1 centimetre in size at the rocky gully mouth. Amongst stood many Golden Samphire with its succulent leaves. Today Anvil Point Lighthouse flashed its beacon, as I walked the uneven and at times slippery coast path into the wind-blown rain. After making “phishing” calls I finally managed to see a tiny Goldcrest from the Horse-shoe bridge.
As I ascended the tarmac road, I passed several strategically placed Fox leavings as part of its scent marking. Yesterday, Ali & I attended a Purbeck Natural History Forum meeting. A group that is worth being part of.
https://purbeckheaths.org.uk/purbeck-natural-history-forum/