As I wondered down to Durlston Head I took a detour to caravan terrace where some Primroses were in bloom, I also took my first chance to sit on the new seats, which were a bit damp after the rain!
Onwards, and a Cormorant was skimming across Durlston Bay, its white spot under its wing easily seen, whilst on the water its closest relative the Shag was floating, the double wisps of its breeding crest also visible.
Growing above the wall the Tamarisk fronds are getting to the point of obscuring the view, but flitting amongst the greenery were some Blue Tits and a couple of Goldcrests.
From amongst the branches of a Hawthorn bush came a seeping sound, this caught my ear, as I scanned through the brown twigs, a yellow wing marking was spotted, and the Greenfinch continued to call.
Circling around the cliffs was a Fulmar, a superb sight as it mastered the wind conditions, barely moving the wings to change direction. The thin dappled grey wings contrasting with its white head and when it came close the dark black feathers around its eyes could be seen.
On the water about 50 birds were bobbing in the gentle waves, this a group of Guillemots and Razorbills, at least 7 of the blacker, thicker billed auks, the lighting of the early morning sunshine and the distance away making it difficult to tell them apart. The ledge however was also full of Guillemots chuckling to each other.
Around the lighthouse past the bright yellow patches of flowering Gorse, on the slopes the Hereford Cattle are grazing, an essential management tool for short limestone grassland.
Above them a bird swooped, and a Peregrine undertook a number of cycles in large loops, the wings changing from points to fans as it moved before hanging in the air, a very different action to the Kestrel which was hovering nearby.
From the woods emerging with a squawk was a Jay, white rump and blue wing flash spotted.