The sound of cows mooing filled the air as I began my early wander, these delightful Herefords are making their way around the back meadows of Durlston, grazing off the new grass growth after the annual cut and getting into the rough areas for us.
During the check of the meadows, the yellow flowers of Fleabane, Ragwort, Catsear and Rough Hawkbit were spotted, while the pale lilac of Field Scabious can still be found occasionally.
Down by the cliffs, against the dark grey sky the white edging of a Great Black-backed Gull showed superbly. Skimming low across the water was a gleaming white Gannet again the dark background making it even more spectacular.
Hovering superbly above the gully was a Kestrel, the chestnut brown and grey back of this male different to the much duller brown of the female which was perched on the lines going towards the Lighthouse.
Overhead a flock of 40 or so Goldfinches tinkled, their sound the defining feature, but as they moved the occasional flash of yellow confirmed the identification.
The twitter of Linnets made me look upward and 20ish were flying over as during my stroll were a few Siskin and some Meadow Pipits.
In a Hawthorn bush a Wren was pouring forth its loud song, nearby another Wren was blasting out.
In amongst the rambling piles of Old Man’s Beard, where the wispy white flowers abound, was a flock of Long-tailed Tits these dumpy birds hanging and acrobatically moving through, their chattering making sure I knew where they were. While watching these Great Tits, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps also appeared.
Last night good views of 2 Roe Deer slowly walking along the hedgeline while flitting up and down were numerous Pipistrelle Bats. Spotted resting on the wall were Black Rustic, Lunar Underwing and Feathered Brindle moths, all species which appear in the autumn.