A pale yellow sun glowing low in the sky, just squeaking above the horizon, but below the layer of grey cloud, so producing a lovely orange hue.
Against this backdrop a Kestrel was hovering, the back a gleaming rusty red, the body quivering as it looking intently down, ready for the movement of its breakfast in the grass tufts.
Overhead lots of sounds from the migrating birds, this included Redpoll, Brambling and Linnets – all identified by the characteristic calls they make.
Much more surprising was a Swallow flying over Durlston Bay, mid-November is really quite late for these African migrants to head south.
Added to that, was a Hawfinch heading east, again not a usual sighting.
As I took my walk towards the furthest reached of the Reserve a Stonechat was perched on a patch of yellow flowering Gorse, the white flashes on its wing showing as it flew, the orange chest seen as it dropped onto the scrub.
We have a contractor in at the moment to replace the fenceline along the coast path (to stop the cows escaping onto the path, into the sea or on to Swanage), to do this they have to cut some of the Gorse, Brambles and Blackthorn in which the fence was hidden. This should improve the grassland habitat as they same time.
On the cliffs, once again the Guillemots are in occupation, this morning they were very vocal, almost a growling sound as they discussed life! A few also on the water and a few in flight. The majority of the Guillemots are still in winter plumage, although the percentage is decreasing.
Returning through the woods the very high pithed calling of Goldcrests, drew my eye upwards, eventually spotting these tiny bird flitting among the branches of the Willow, alongside these a flash of a Firecrest spotted as well.
Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Coal Tit and Dartford Warbler all in the Wildlife Area by the Centre