A very misty morning meant that I heard Carrion Crows and Woodpigeon about the car park and distant Herring Gulls.
From the Rest & Admire view point I only saw the silhouettes of trees upon the undercliff below whilst a bleating Robin disappeared nearby. A pair of Carrion Crows had a verbal exchange near the timeline. I was able to see the Dell bridge from above. Outside the castle the fresh blades / leave of Three-Cornered Leek provided a green flush.
Both a Blackbird and Dunnock appeared near the Noon seat. I watched the drift mist at Durlston Head. Over the recently trimmed Tamarisk hedge I could just glimpse the sea at the cliff base. A Robin perched on the former stone plinths intended that once displayed a cannon. More and more Wood Pigeons ascended from the coast path or adjacent vegetation as I approached the Observation Point. From here I heard the gargle of a Guillemot below. Shortly I witnessed some seventy of the seabirds heading out to sea from the cliffs. Later Bird Ringer Mick and I chatted about ringing Guillemots (easier said than done!) and he reported that a rung UK bird wore a ring that was 35 years old! Perhaps we should investigate radio tags again…
A Cock Pheasant called from near the Goat Plot. Meanwhile a Goldfinch clung to the stem of a cliff top Teasel. After hearing them call two Raven flew past going west. Despite the mist a solo oarsman was below checking lobster / crab pots and the foot of the sea cliffs. Twos Shags put in appearances and one Cormorant which flew up from the sea and continued ascending far above my head on the coast path. Some seven Herring passed going east at path level. Another perched on Tilly Whim ledge whilst one more floated upon the sea. A Rock Pit ventured about.
At lighthouse green I notice water droplets at the tips of the thorns of a roadside Blackthorn. A Magpie flew across the gully as I approached the bridge. I could hear the light sound of the wind as it passed through the vegetation. Another Magpie was joined by a Carrion Crow amongst the sward between the Hereford Cattle near Small Copse. Mick reported a Redwing , Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tit amongst this morning’s visitors.