I start the patrol at 7am, an hour earlier in preparation for the Christmas Rotary – forgive me with this diary, it was dark! The sun hasn't quite risen yet, but the moon and stars can be seen above, as well as a brighter planet – possibly Jupiter or Saturn, this will be known for sure by the Stargazing people who are on tonight from 7pm!
As I get my shoes ready for the walk, I could just about spot a Wood Pigeon flying past me, the Song Thrush is also an early bird it seems, as well as the many Robins that could be heard calling away amongst the scrubby areas around the car park. The air is still, around one could hear Herring Gulls squawking as I head towards the Pleasure Grounds woodland. Within the woodland, the Holm Oaks make further darken the walk, but in front of me the beautiful Durlston Bay with a red/orange horizon from the sun could be seen past a glade cut, and then raked up by our Tuesday volunteers. This created the best opportunity for a photo to be taken, as a Crow could be heard above me and the sound of the waves hitting the cliffs below was almost hypnotic.
Walking beside the castle and down to the globe Wood Pigeons could be heard singing away, the Globe and the sunrise is magical as the many Robins are heard calling. Herring Gulls and Black-backed Gulls are seen flying beside the cliff as a Wren and Great Tit are heard singing and calling.
From the viewpoint, the lighthouse flashes about every 8 or 9 seconds or so whilst a Blackbird is heard amongst the Holm Oak and Tamarisk to the right of me. Down below the viewpoint, two Greater Black-backed Gulls are spotted chilling on the cliffs, I notice one Fulmar fly towards the cliff and Guillemots too, a Shag is just about noticeable below as Jackdaws fly towards the top. The lighting is so stunning as the sun goes up, the cliffs are more of an orange colour.
Walking on, on the above the cliff Goldfinches are heard somewhere above me as a Cormorant is spotted, the Guillemots can be heard below. Passing Tilly Whim and up the Diagonal Path heard was more Robins and Crows as well as some Blue Tits, Great Tits, and a Goldcrest. The same Song Thrush heard before is heard again as I walk back to the learning centre.