What a pleasant surprise, to undertake my morning patrol in dry and quite bright weather!
I was drawn to the cliffs, the sea a dull grey and as I reached Durlston Head I was rewarded with a magnificent showing of sixteen Gannets. These glorious, gleaming white seabirds, gliding low across the water, rising up every now and then, and as the y did so the black tips of their wings showed up.
Around the corner the dark black body of a Cormorant flew along at eye level, as it glided the white oval patch under its wing showing brilliantly, while closer inspection revealed the paler feather markings around its head and a slightly bluish tinge to the feathers.
In contrast the Shag standing upright on the rock gleamed dark green, with a yellow marking on its face.
Swooping along in front of the rock face 4 Fulmars, a wonderful sight as they crisscrossed and circled, the grey wings straight and narrow, their head bright white.
Down on the water a smattering of Auks, with 11 Razorbills, some in pairs tapping their beaks together, the jet black colouration differing from the paler more chocolate brown of the Guillemots who were also bobbing on the water.
Meanwhile the ledges was packed with well over 150 Guillemots, checking territories and neighbours. They are usually here for most of the morning before heading out to sea, but likely to be back again tomorrow.
Flitting up from a patch of Blackthorn was a Stonechat, the flashes of white on the wings catching the eye, while towards the gully the squeaky call of a Bullfinch indicated the presence of these pink-chested birds, spotted amongst the Willow as I searched.