A spectacular morning along the cliffs, with strong south-westerly winds whipping a net of white foam across a steely sea and sending ‘white horses galloping towards the cliffs.
At Tilly Whim waves explode against the cliffs, sending spray high into the air, with 9 Gannets circling Durlston Head in a feeding flock, breaking from their gyre to plunge, knife-like into the steely water below.
8 Fulmars circle in criss-crossing arcs, navigating the gusty winds with ease, as below them, Guillemots whir in and out from the cliffs, with 10 Razorbills (with noticeably blacker plumage) riding the waves below.
Also on the wing, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Shag, close to the cliffs, with Brent Geese and Kittiwake further out to sea.
In the relative shelter of the woodland, a Treecreeper scuttles up the trunk of a Holm Oak at the Aviaries, with the piercing calls of Goldcrests from among the canopy.
Elsewhere in the woods, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird and Jay seen, with a flash of bright crimson and green as a Green Woodpecker bobs across Long Meadow.
A few Snowdrops are starting to push through near the Aviary Glade, with the leaves of Dog Violet also appearing.