A much warmer start today than of late, with a gorgeous pink sunrise to enjoy. The sun a red orb as it rose above the horizon.
Standing amongst the long tufts of grass were two Roe Deer, one adult female the other its youngster from this year. Both have large dirty cream rumps, while looking at their faces the delicate markings around the nose could be seen.
As I went off towards the woods, a Green Woodpecker accompanied me, the loud cackling laugh so identifiable. On this occasion I also got a great view as it landed on the damp ground and began to probe for insects. The red patches of feathers contrasting wonderfully with the green.
Overhead the sound of a couple of Ravens added to the chuckling of Carrion Crows and the cackling Jackdaws all of which were moving around the woods and above the landslips of Durlston Bay.
A flash of white drew my attention to the tops of a Black Pine, where a Magpie was waving its tail as it attempted to balance of a small branch. As it did so from the adjacent Holm Oak emerged a Jay, the flash of blue on its wings making these the flashiest of our corvids.
Berries galore across the hedgerows and woods including the little black balls of Privet, the deep red of haws (on the Hawthorn), elongated brilliance of Black Bryony and Dog Roses along with the purple sloes (on the Blackthorn).
Also the evergreen Japanese Spindle the pale pink berries, while the bright pink larger ones are showing superbly on the European Spindle.
In amongst the Elms a Firecrest flitted, as did a flock of Long-tailed Tits and a few Great Tits.
A slightly surprising sight overhead was that of a Swallow – the 28th Nov is quite late for these supposed summer migrants to still be here.
Also overhead 2 Golden Plovers, as well as Redpoll, Siskin, Linnets, Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits.
On the cliffs the Guillemots again on the ledges, their growling noises wafting up as I watched 2 Black Redstarts again at Tilly Whim