Bird song greeted the start of my early patrol, the insistent churring of Blue Tits coming from the tops of the Sallow tree, the blue and yellow colouring being highlighted by the glorious sunshine.
As I walked around Durlston, spring was in the air, with 4 Skylarks floating and fluttering above the meadows, not yet in full voice today but bursts of their gorgeous tune being produced. A good time of year to get familiar with the shape and colour of these birds, with few others to confuse!
On the downs the Gorse is covered with bright yellow flowers, slightly furry, slightly smelly pea flowers. On the top, perched with the blue sky behind was a Stonechat, this black-headed male chatting noisily as it proclaimed its territory.
Trundling across the path a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, the slow ponderous almost clockwork movement of this wonderful beetle always keeps my enthralled. Eventually she arrived at the mass of Cleavers the otherwise.
At Tilly Whim the early sun had encouraged a stunning male Adder to emerge and bask, his silver and black skin showing well against the earth backdrop.
2 Rock Pipits were displaying on the other side of the wall, grey flutterings up and down as they sang.
Zooming around the cliffs were at least 6 Fulmars, these birds are so difficult to count as they circle in and out, but always wonderful to watch, their feet sticking out like landing gear on a plane as they approach the nooks and crannies of the Limestone face.
Below on the water a scattering of Guillemots, a few more on the ledge, but only 10 counted here. However perched on the rock near the bottom was a glorious shining dark green Shag, whose crest was raised, and the yellow gape was showing superbly.
Returning through the woods Great Tits were producing at least 4 of their most common tunes, just to confuse - why do they have to have more than one!?