Simply glorious this morning, how better than to spend an hour (before attending to the computer, wandering around Durlston?
Not a breath of wind as I went towards the cliff, making the dominant sounds those of the seabirds. From the flat water came the constant fluttering noise as the Guillemots washed and bathed, their wings battering the water as they turned over. This was accompanied by their growling calls as they chatted to each other.
Scattered across the water were 10 Razorbills and over 120 Guillemots, while another 150 or so were squeezed onto the top ledge.
Taking flight was a shimmering green Shag, the stiff wings gliding to the water where the wispy crest was easily visible.
From the cliffs the cackle of a Fulmar, one was lying near the clifftops allowing fantastic views, the tube noses, black eye feathers and chunky shape easily observed. Further along the rocks a couple of Feral Pigeons their necks a flickering pink in the early sunlight.
Amongst the tufts of dead Tor Grass and Thrift, Jackdaws were grabbing beakfuls of the loose fibrous material. On the yellow flowering Gorse behind, 2 Stonechats perched, occasionally ‘chatting’.
As I watched the male silver and black Adder above Tilly Whim a loud piping sound came from the water, and into view came an Oystercatcher, the striking black and white colour contrasting with the long bright orange beak.
High above the downs a Skylark singing loudly, while Rock Pipits cavorted near the cliffs.
Across the downland the deep purple colour of Hairy Violets, catching the eye, while in the sheltered spots Primroses are in full bloom and across the meadows the first swathe of the Cowslips are flowering.
A buzzing Beefly landed on the gleaming leaf of Ivy as a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee buzzed by.