I aimed towards the woodland as the rain started to fall heavily, some shelter from the drops I hoped. Emerging from the Holm Oak was a Jay, it too looking bedraggled with its feathers ruffled, the blue flash on its wing still showing.
Flitting between the twigs of the Sycamore bushes were a couple of small dull brown Chiffchaffs, very difficult to see as they moved constantly behind the leaves of the tree, even when they did move to the adjacent Willow they continued to hide in the leaves.
A sudden dark shape sped into view, jinking left then right around the tree lined edge, this Sparrowhawk showing off its long tail and as it banked the wings spread, wonderful to admire before it disappeared deeper amongst the scrub of the landslip,
In the wind and the rain it felt more like autumn, especially with the Hawthorns laden with red berries and the blue-black sloes covering the Blackthorns. Both of these plants have suffered in the recent strong winds as the leaves have been shrivelled and burnt by the salt laden winds.
Hemp Agrimony looking a little past it, the dull pink flowers more drab in the damp light of this morning than usual. However the Marjoram, Red Bartsia and Greater Knapweed are providing some good splashes of colour, as is the bright yellow Ragwort which is also providing a wonderful nectar source for many insects.
The cackle of a Green Woodpecker was answered by that of a second one, which then took flight, up and down across the sky, alighting upright on the trunk of a Wild Cherry tree.
The waves were rolling in from the southwest, a mass of white froth at the cliff edge as they crashed into the solid Portland Limestone rock face. Gliding above was a Gannet, a fantastic gleaming white winged bird, followed by a second darker brown and white flecked Gannet.
Otherwise only 2 Shags noted skimming low across the water.
Yesterday the park was alive with Greenfinches, Common Whitethroats and Willow Warblers which may reappear once the weather improves.