My highlight of the early morning was the sight of a Black Redstart hopping around Tilly Whim Cave entrance. This bird, the size (and relative) of a Robin was flashing its bright red tail as it flitted amongst the bars of the barrier and the capping stones of the wall, its charcoal black back making it surprisingly difficult to see at times as it blended superbly into the backdrop.
Over the cliff edge the Guillemots were once again on the ledges, a few still in their ‘winter’ plumage but most in full summer breeding plumage.
Soaring through the air was a Raven, while Jackdaws provided much entertainment as they spun, flicked and flipped in groups cackling as they fell.
The high pitched call of a Rock Pipit caught my attention as it took flight, undulating for a for beats before landing again on the bare Portland limestone cliffs.
The other members of the crow family watched this morning were the Carrion Crow as it pecked at some tasty morsel amongst the cattle. The bright colour of the Jay flashed across between the Willow trees, its white rump and blue wing markings catching the brilliant sunlight as it moved. After a while it landed on the ground sending a Green Woodpecker into the sky, a loud ‘yaffle’ of disgust being emitted as it took flight.
Hovering above the rough grass of Smithfield was a Kestrel, hoping for the activity below of a small mammal moving through the slightly frosted grass fronds.
The fantastic sunrise this morning made the tall buildings of Bournemouth look like they were on fire as the sun reflected the flickering pinks and oranges of the sun’s rays.
As I walked back up through the lighthouse field a few moments were spent encouraging a fairly small calf back to the right side of the fence, which he then squeezed himself underneath!
A little further on a Fox trotted amongst the tall leaves of the Stinking Iris looking very smart with a large white tail tip.