By the coast a strong easterly wind determined the direction birds on the wing were travelling. Over long meadow a murder of half a dozen Carrion Crow took to the sky only to shortly return to the coastal woodland. One Red Admiral flew (or was carried) above at me at height. Investigating the sea from the Cuff bench I faced the basking rays of the glorious rising sun and the waves rolling inland from Durlston Head. Beside the Brady bench whilst the Sycamores rubbed branches and creaked in the wind the sun briefly glinted off the moving Peveril Ledges marker buoy. Straight upright Elm had shed their leaves ahead of neighbouring species. Where the grass met the coast path I suspect Badgers might have been digging for roots overnight!
A loaded castle bird feeder unsurprisingly received attention from Great Tits. Whilst Swallows and House Martins had been present over higher ground, they became perhaps more numerous nearer the coast. As I approached the observation point a Holm Oak branch had finally over-reached itself and split from its trunk trying to reach sunlight. Whilst it was safe I shall need to convert it to logs soon. A Grey Squirrel startled me from the coastal tree cover below the stone sea chart!
On the coast path itself I was surprised at the numbers of Goldfinches, Swallows and House Martins flying close to my head! Herring Gulls, Jackdaws and Greater Black Backed Gulls followed the other birds to the east. Meanwhile a remained upon Shag the sea and one Great Black Backed Gull perched on the cliff edge.
Thankfully Volunteers Thelma and Andrew have replaced the Perspex windows in the Dolphin Watchers Hut. Another volunteer Pip was mowing the bird ringer rides out in the wildlife area… I was a little disappointed that it was not the sound of a tractor collecting the hay bales. Hamish reported 7 Ring Ouzel, 30 Song Thrush, a Woodlark and Skylark!