A strong westerly wind blowing in, this made a trip to the coast an essential part of the early patrol.
Across Durlston Bay a bit of a swell rolling in, the water looking a browny grey, upon it a Shag was bobbing and a few Herring Gulls were also present.
Around the headland and the wind picking up, and the white crests of the water churning magnificently. Looking along the cliff the ledges were bare, however higher up at the rock bottom of a grassy bank a Peregrine Falcon perched. Its dark grey back hunched over, the hooked beak pulling at something. Further watching allowed me to see the gory tearing of flesh and bones as this Peregrine enjoying its breakfast.
Above me flocks of Goldfinches were tinkling and jangling, their red, gold and black feathers catching the light as they flew. This charm landed gently in the tops of an Ash tree, the black buds of the twigs bare now, the leaves having dropped or been blown off!
A Kestrel glided across the sky, swooping down and then rising up on the wind, until it hung then flickered in the air while its head remained perfectly still.
A few Meadow Pipits flew overhead, while in amongst the prickly spikes of Gorse were Stonechats, which seem to have had a successful breeding year.
The calling of Chaffinches wafted down from the branches of a Sycamore, these birds looking on first inspection like the withered leaves, however on closer checking the white wing flashes became very obvious!
The sound of a Green Woodpecker caught my attention, raising my eyes this largish bird was undulating its way towards the Large Copse, where it landed, and perched upright on the trunk of a White Poplar.
Trundling across a piece of Purbeck limestone was a small deep metallic blue beetle, not quite round, but the wing cases reflecting the light.
In the corner of the meadow a Fox skulked, the white tip of its brush spotted as it moved, the dark chestnut of its coat looking quite stylish!