Under the cover of a uniform grey sky a mass of Wood Pigeons whooshed across, the sound bringing them to my attention as they moved at speed through the air.
Later again the sound of tearing air, but this time from a small group of Feral Pigeons as they jinked and twisted, following close behind was the slate grey shape of a Peregrine Falcon. On this occasion as I watched the Peregrine gave up its chase quite quickly, and instead turned and floated past me, giving me great views of this magnificent bird. Its yellow legs and eye ring, pale speckled front and grey back all showing on the chunky body.
As this was taking place above the clifftops, on the water was a group of 12 Guillemots, a scan allowed me to note that 10 of them were still in ‘winter’ non-breeding plumage, having white faces and collars, while 2 had moved into the ‘summer’ breeding feathers.
On the main ledge another 100+ Guillemots were positioned, occasional jostling taking place as they moved and chattered.
Flying low over the water was a Shag while above Herring Gulls were soaring.
The Tamarisk on Durlston Head was being used by 2 Jays as a squawking post, these colourful noisy birds gently flapping towards the Sycamore after a few moments of squawks.
The faint high pitched calling of a Goldcrest caught my ear which was then joined by the chattering of Blue Tits and the buzz of a Great Tit.
Louder still was a Wren, blasting its song from the bottom of a flowering Gorse bush as a Blackbird swooped towards the Elm trees.
As I walked through the Hereford cattle, one had a Magpie perched on his back, but they seemed to be munching quite happily. Emerging noisily from the Blackthorn scrub was a female Pheasant, flapping and calling as it moved towards another area of cover.