A very damp early morning patrol in thick fog that was covering the Park like a duvet. From somewhere in amongst the greyness came the sounds of small birds, which included Robin, Dunnock and Great Tits.
Wandering through the long-grass was a Roe Deer, the ginger brown colour providing a bright splash in the greenness, behind the adult was a young fawn, only about a third of the size and as it lay down disappearing completely in the Tor Grass. This a late addition to the Roe Deer numbers for the year.
Close inspection of a large patch of scrub eventually yielded two Stonechats, these slightly rounder and showing dark heads were chatting, like two stones being rubbed together.
Down below the cliffs a Fulmar was soaring, disappearing in and out of the fog as it flew, such a wonderful bird to admire as it moves. My first sighting for a while.
On the rocks just above the water were 3 Shags, the dark shapes spotted as they moved slightly, also perched were 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.
The flowers are a bit bedraggled today, but still glimmers of colour including the delicate white umbels of Burnet Saxifrage, and the circular heads of Small Scabious, both on the downs alongside the strange spiral orchid flowers of the Autumn Ladies Tresses.
Along the cliffs the pale purple of Sea Aster in bloom, while Golden Samphire and Rock Samphire both showing well. The white flowers of Yarrow and the yellow of Ragwort adding to the brightness.
On the Elder just above the gully was a Common Whitethroat, this small brown bird was feeding on the dark red elder berries, while in the Apple tree was a Bullfinch.