Another amazing morning here on the Country Park especially if you enjoy watching the sea. The water was rolling in from the west, huge heaps of wave crashing against the cliffs creating a great spray.
From Durlston Head the sight of over 100 Gannets was awesome, these massive white seabirds diving from height wings pegged back against their bodies as they bombed head first through the waves. A continual stream of birds undertaking this spectacular procedure.
In the same area were numerous Auks (couldn’t tell whether they were Guillemots or Razorbills at that distance) plus some Kittiwakes and some less delicate and larger Herring Gulls.
My mood was darkened somewhat as I encountered the effects of yesterday’s deluge of rain with deep trenches and gullies now the feature of part of the coast path near the Dolphin Hut and Observation Point.
In the sheltered area by the bridge the song of a Chaffinch took pride of place on the airwaves, the fast ending my way of identifying the sound. Another Chaffinch responded from further up the gully.
Nearer the centre a squeak, followed by the sight of a white rump, and Bullfinch flitted across in front of me and landed in the Hawthorn, allowing me a quick glimpse of its pink chest before it disappeared deeper into cover.
Towards the woods another white rumped bird flew gently ahead of me, this Jay giving a raucous squawk as it landed in the Horse Chestnut.
In the woods more bird action with Blue Tits, Robins and Wrens all noted. Bounding along the branch of a Japanese Spindle was a Grey Squirrel, disturbing two Wood Pigeons which were perched amongst the thick waxy green leaves and pale pink seed heads of this exotic plant.
Just outside the window as I finish writing are three Rabbits, two slowly bounding across the short grass the other standing washing its foot!