After last nights storm of wind and rain, what a glorious early morning for a patrol, the strong south west winds tearing up the channel, creating a wonderful seascape.
The water a greyish blue covered in large white waves and churning falling bubbles, looking out from the cliffs nothing man-made to be seen (– no ferries, tankers or sailing boats!), however gliding past a large white winged Gannet, with a little further behind a young dark Gannet.
Around the Lighthouse, the squeaking call of a Rock Pipit caused me to look at a lump of rock where it was standing upright. Overhead a flock of Meadow Pipits travelled into the storm, while a Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail both landed upon the short turf of Lighthouse Green.
Around in the relative shelter of Durlston Bay a Shag bobbed on the large rolling swell, while above the path Swallows were showing well, swooping close to and then around in large circles.
Other flocks of birds noted today were a charm of Goldfinches, a tinkling call and flashes of gold as they landed in the branches of the red berry laden Hawthorn. Following on behind them were some Linnets more of a rasping sound heard above the gusts of the wind.
The recent damper weather encouraging the snails to slide around, with Garden Snail, Lapidary Snail and Spiral Snail all spotted, as was the Dark-lipped Snail and the Trapdoor Snail.
While looking down as these molluscs a patch of Wild Thyme was seen, the pink flowers a splash of colour in the green grasses.
Speeding across the sky was a chunky bird with swept back grey wings, a Peregrine Falcon, it then banked and turned allowing a great view of its paler underside.
Last nighty in the rain and wind a Glow-worm was still glowing a bright green light, not the best weather to attract a male you would think.