A chilly morning for the patrol, but the sun was squeezing between the dark grey clouds above the Isle of Wight, drawing me down to the coast! As I walked the scampering of Grey Squirrels across the fallen leaves of Sycamore and Elm could be heard as was the sound of their nails grabbing hold of the Black Pine bark as they bounded up the tree trunks.
At Durlston Head two Cormorants flew past, both flying at clifftop height, one, last years youngster, a mottled black, grey and white, the other a bluey black adult. Below them skimming just above the water line was a Shag, allowing for comparison of these closely related species.
A few Guillemots flying in and out of the limestone cliffs, a whirr of black and white as they circled, however when looking back to the main ledge not a bird to be seen, so must be on some of the other nooks and ledges.
The loud croaks of two Ravens came from behind me, they then glided and soared past, probably checking out the area for breeding again next year.
As the Ravens moved they unsettled a flock of Feral Pigeons, causing them to tear through the sky, followed then by a flock of chattering Jackdaws which erupted from the area.
Coming up from the downland, I was surprised to spot a Woolly Thistle with 3 large purple flower heads, and a little later a single purple flower of a Greater Knapweed amongst the grasses.
My mind was contemplating future scrub work as I investigated an old quarr, and from above me, perched in the drooping Hawthorn branches perched a Bullfinch. A magnificent bird, looking up I could see the bright pink belly, as it moved the delicate grey and the black and white feathers also showed. It was calling – a squeaky wheeze – replied to by another which was in the adjacent Old Man’s Beard.
A shape on the top of the hill, was a Roe Deer, its fur catching the shafts of sunlight