Another windy morning, bringing completely different sea conditions, after the calm of yesterday and water a mass of seething white crests rolling into the Portland limestone cliffs. Fantastic to watch.
The sight of some small black and white birds whirring low above the waves caught my eye, my brain a bit slow to recognise one of Durlston’s iconic species, as they are not supposed to be here in early October! But there they were a small group of Guillemots. I then turned my binocular to the ledges to spot another 10 or so standing upright. These all in their ‘winter’ plumage, with white heads rather than the chocolate brown of the spring – another reason for my slow identification.
Also whizzing past, the south westerly wind behind it was a Shag, its wider wings catching the air as it passed. Gannets also skimming above the waves flashing white wings.
Further out a single Great Northern Diver was noted, the long neck helping me spot it.
Long ropes of brilliant red berries of the Black Bryony providing splashes of colour along the hedgerow, the berries so vivid on the stems that have climbed over the Blackthorn that it looks as if it is of this plant with the red berries.
From the shelter of the trees of Durlston Bay a Sparrowhawk emerged, soon to be chased by a Carrion Crow, later a report of a Merlin this small bird of prey being chased by a Jackdaw!
In the Sycamores and Willow a Firecrest was showing itself, the white face patch noted as it turned its head, a contrast to the similar looking and acting Goldcrests which are also more numerous.
Amongst the Buddlea, Wayfaring Tree and Traveller’s Joy was a Chiffchaff and helpfully perched alongside it a Willow Warbler, for once allowing me the chance to compare these similar looking birds at the same time, and for once the differences were quite obvious!
A few of the autumn moths are around including Black Rustic, Feathered Brindle, Feathered Ranunculus and Beaded Chestnut.