As the fog began to roll back the views of Durlston Bay emerged, followed by Peveril Point and then even Old Harry Rocks, this a great improvement on the recent blanket of grey in front of our eyes.
A definite feeling of spring in the air compounded by the yellow flowers of Daffodils, Primroses and of course Gorse.
I was pulled towards the clifftops where I could hear, before seeing the Guillemots, the ledge squashed full of these chocolate brown and white seabirds, a constant growling indicating that they are renewing their bonds.
On the water below more Guillemots including 3 still in winter plumage with white stripes around their heads, while bobbing on the outside were 20 Razorbills, their colour much blacker and with their thicker bills obvious in the early morning light. Many of them in pairs, tapping beaks or necks others single on the water.
Zooming around the cliff edge were 3 Fulmars, perfect control as they glided close in and then swept out in a circle to come around again, just wonderful to watch.
Perched on an outcrop was a Peregrine Falcon, the mottled black spots across its chest in the shape of a waistcoat, the yellow talons gripping the rock. Not a movement from this hunter as a flock of 20 or so Feral Pigeons tore through past it, the sound of the air ripping quite impressive.
On the top of a Blackthorn bush was perched a Stonechat, the white wing flashes twitching as the bird bobbed up and down before taking for a quick flight to land amidst the tangle of Old Man’s Beard ropes. A second Stonechat flitted in the same area, this female less obtrusive.
The Hereford cattle have a done a very good job munching on, amongst other things, the Tor grass, but do beware of the piles of cow poo that have been dropped down towards the lighthouse!!
Just outside the office a Chaffinch was perched in the Hawthorn, Blue Tits chattered and a Robin sat on the picnic table