A strong south-westerly wind blowing up the channel, and heading into this a steady stream of Swallows, flying just off the cliff edge. This made me consider where they were going today, was it a bit loop to come back past, or perhaps they were going further towards Devon.
Gliding just above the grey water, a Gannet was looking magnificent, the brilliant white wings showing up against the dull water, as it banked the black wing tips showed themselves to me.
Waving in the wind the long frond like stems of Tamarisk, a feathery green topped with a pale off-white-pink flower head. Sneaking amongst these was a dull brown Warbler, which when it popped up for me to see turned out to be a Chiffchaff.
Perched just by the Globe (perhaps looking at the route it was soon to take) was a Wheatear, the tan and buff colouration blending in with the fading grassy backdrop, until it took to the wing when its white rump flashed brilliantly.
Heading around patch of dense Blackthorn scrub a dark brown bird was hunting, a superb Sparrowhawk, any small bird I had hoped to spot disappearing from view!
Across Durlston Bay a flock of House Martins swooping and circling, as I looked down on them from the coast path, there white rumps were flashing as they went past, too numerous and difficult to count – so just enjoyed the spectacle!
Through the woods a Fushcia was flowering a bright deep pink, the Hydrangeas also adding some colour, while the dull pink Hemp Agrimony flowers are now mostly turning a dull brown.
Bright yellow Fleabane flowers, on slightly furry stems and leaves, while there are patches of yellow flowered Ragwort, and Wood Sage now turned brown.
One of our Spindle Tree covered in hard dirty pink-brown heads, these waiting to burst open, to provide a bright pink presence as the Autumn progresses.
The long green fronds of Hart’s Tongue Fern are covered on the rear with strands of brown spores.