The sound of Bullfinches greeted me as I began my walk across a frost covered patch of grass. The haunting squeaking call as they flew overhead made me look upwards, to see three Bullfinches – including a bright pink breasted male.
A quick check down by the cliffs, where the Guillemots were again stood upright on their main breeding ledge, with more dotted down below on the water.
Drawn into the woods by the call of a Goldcrest, coming from somewhere above amongst the branches of the Sycamores and Elms, eventually these tiny birds spotted as the flitted between he branches, my view obscured most of the time, although one flash of gold crest was seen.
As the rain began the sound of large drops of water landing on the shiny Ivy leaves filled the air, as a Wren burst out its loud alarm call and a Blackbird turned over some decaying leaves on the woodland floor.
Flapping low across the water of Durlston Bay was a Shag, the black shape with its long neck and distinct forehead allowing identification of this resident seabird.
From another viewpoint, looking down at the landslip a burst of yellow from the Gorse flowers, with a Chaffinch perched on the top, its pale wing bars noticeable.
From high in the Holm Oaks a couple of Grey Squirrels were chasing noisily from branch to branch. In the Black Pine a Firecrest was spotted amongst the thin dark green needles.
Wandering back along the meadow footpaths – it was still raining!
Towards the Blackthorn and Bramble hedgerow the shape of a Sparrowhawk was seen as it swept along, the pale underside and striped tail noted as it went by, before it whizzed over the top of the bushes.
On the ground on the downs a definite sign of our future spring, with an Orchid rosette showing.