I passed a Magpie duo which were investigating the over flow carpark area at Long Meadow. Not unusually I heard the call of a Green Woodpecker as I left the Centre. Within the tree cover of reservoir copse I observed a pair of Coal Tits, noticeable for their white stripe on their “skull caps” and their dark “side burns” and of course a different call.
Unfortunately, the ground was still too wet for raking up the hay cut. I turned to see a red, orange, brown sunrise through cloud above the castle. As usual I checked our standing dead Elm beside the coast path, then from the Brady bench I saw one Shag flying towards Durlston Head across Durlston Bay. Under the cover of the coastal Holm Oak I saw a bushy tail disappear which I followed. Fortunately, the tail owner turned back in my direction where the owner was revealed to indeed be a Fox. Later the musk of Fox was smelt near the Globe.
Carrion Crows called and flew above the timeline. Upon the departure of a Grey Squirrel the Castle bird feeder was then visited by five Great Tits and a pair of Blue Tits. Near caravan Terrace Bridge a Jay flew behind me as the ever present fronds of Harts Tongue Fern and leaves of Ivy and Stinking Iris gave colour to the path side.
A Great Black Backed gull flew off Durlston Head, whilst some five Greater Periwinkle flowers gave colour to the verge near the Globe steps. A passing Katie was quick to pick out a flying Fulmar off the cliff tops, whilst I fixated upon a Peregrine Falcon perched on the cliff face staring west. Around the observation point some thirty Jackdaws eventually settle on the grassy cliff top fringe. Like clockwork the score of Racing Pigeon flashed past me. A vocal Robin called and followed me along the coast path. Beside the Tilly Whim steps one Shag was diving for fish upon the sea.
I briefly endured a strong icy cold wind at the gully mouth which was given a whistling voice by the higher mile marker. When I returned to the centre I welcome the warmth returning to my toes. On my trip to open up the Castle I passed a family of Long Tailed Tits flitting through the trees.