I decided to walk the Durlston section of the coast path this morning, the sun creeping through the low grey cloud which was in a band along the horizon, providing an orange glow across the National Nature Reserve.
The shelter of the woodland allowed me to enjoy the sound as well as the sight of a Goldcrest, which was flitting around the twigs of the Snowberry, other were slightly higher up in amongst the limbs of the Hazels.
The tall Harts Tongue Ferns showing well alongside the thinner leaves of Stinking Iris, while the ground is covered in Ivy leaves and a few patches of the Winter Heliotrope, its flower spike emerging from amongst the large heart shaped leaves.
Back up Durlston Bay and a chance to look at any additional land slippages that have happened since the heavy rain of last Thursday, fortunately here just a few trickles of grey and orange mud with Holm Oak, Willow and Privet marooned or capsized on it. Compared with other areas along the coast, we have so far got away with it.
Along the cliffs a Fulmar was quartering in and out, circling round in large circles. From the ledge the sound of the Guillemots was wafting up, a growling call.
On the water another 40 Guillemots were bobbing, 8 of these still sporting the white headed plumage of the ‘winter’. I searched through in the hope of spotting a Razorbill but these have not yet returned to the cliffs.
Two Peregrine Falcons were gliding above me, both backlit so just black shapes, a thick chunky body and short pointed wings quite distinctive.
Near the Quarr a movement caught my eye, the small bird with white edges to its tail, and a yellowness to it, as it landed I could get a great view of this Yellowhammer.