A still, dry start to the day, with a variety of birds on the wing as they forage for food among the autumn hedgerows and woods.
A huge, noisy family of Long-tailed Tits bustle through the scrub above Caravan Terrace – their, ‘toffee-apple’ shape, attractive pink, black and grey plumage and constant squabbling with the rest of the family who form their flocks always guaranteed to make me smile!
Nearby, a Goldcrest weaves through the bushes – a tiny greenish bird, with a distinctive bright gold ‘mohican’, while nearby, a crimson-breasted Bullfinch darts out of a tangle of Wild Clematis, with Blue Tit, Great Tit and Dunnock also seen among the scrub nearby.
Flock of Goldfinches swirl around the bushes and scrub, their red and gold feathers gleaming in the sun, with hundreds, or possibly thousands of Wood Pigeon also passing through overhead.
Overhead migration a little slower today, with a few Siskin, Redpoll and Meadow Pipits on their way through.
At sea, Gannets, Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, along with Shags, Guillemots and the plaintive cry of an Oystercatcher echoing up from Durlston Bay.
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine and Raven are all out hunting.
Late flowers in bloom include Field Scabious, Hogweed and Ragwort.