Whilst it was apparently –0.5 Celsius in the river and filled with frost Durlston was far warmer, however, there were still patches of frost amongst the tall grass about the centre. Several aircraft vapour trails crossed the sky and in fact one airplane dazzled in reflected sun light. Up to four Robins were in full song whilst a Magpie merely cackled. Whilst dry leaves clung to Horse Chestnut large fresh brown sticky buds showed promise of future growth.
It took me a while to identify the source of an alarm near the entrance to the diagonal path. I was delighted when my suspicious confirmed when I caught sight of Greater Spotted Woodpecker with an Ash. There appears to be no consistency to which tree species are losing their leaves first as much is down to location. Above the timeline Grey Squirrels race up trunks and bounded along branches. Later a Squirrel proceeded before me on the coast path only to disappear amongst Elm and Holm Oak. Above the castle croaked a Raven which headed east above the bay. Whilst over the bay there were clear views just beyond Old Harry, the Isle of Wight was obscured in distant mist.
A loud warning call came from a diminutive Wren. Within the bay a mere three separate Herring Gull punctuated the shoreline. One Shag Dove within Durlston Bay whilst overhead I believe a small group of Goldfinches passed.
As the sun rose above Durlston Head it briefly broke through the Tamarisk which still had flowers were inflorescence! Some fifteen Jackdaw were last seen near the observation point upon the wall of which a Carrion Crow “crowed”! Fortunately, I spied two Cormorants preening upon a scat whitened ledge.
I only wish I could have stayed longer upon the coast path this morning. I was studying the sea and was treated the view of a clumsy Guillemot skimming the sea’s surface. Whilst two more Guillemots flew east I spied something occasionally breaking the water’s surface. I suspected it was a mere pot marker but you never know!
As I returned via the woodland cover, the greens of Harts Tongue Fern, Stinking Iris blades and Ground Ivy created some variety.