What a beautiful morning to be walking around the National Nature Reserve. It was cold and crisp as I entered the woods, with silhouettes of Magpie, Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crow, all with their own distinctive body and wing shapes standing out against the blue sky.
The sea was beautifully calm not making a sound as it lapped against the shoreline. Sea, sky and clouds blended into each other and the morning sun created a beautiful outline around the mountainous looking cloud formations. Across the footpath Blackbirds called to each other and further along a Robin sang from a Bay tree.
A Kestrel flew silently, following the contours of Durlston Bay. Taking in a deep breath, the cold air travelled through my body, filling my lungs, then exhaling to relieve and refresh. As I walked around the Castle a flurry of activity erupted from within the Holm Oaks, as Squirrels laden with nuts scurried up the tall trees and Wood Pigeons took flight weaving their way through the dense canopy of Holm Oaks.
A string of 50+ Guillemots were sat on the water leading out from the Guillemot ledge. A Fulmar was flying out from the cliff, following the land then circling out, in a repeated motion. Tor Grass was covered in frost still shaded from the sun, where as on the south facing slopes Plantain and Bramble leaves glistened as the sun melted last nights frost.
As I navigated the mile markers each step was a crunch, the Herefords were happily munching away and Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits sang out from the hedges. Reaching the top 5 Pheasants flew up from behind the Gorse and floated down the gully. Along the top of Lighthouse Field, I turned to the North as what sounded like a warning call rang out from the thick Gorse. Trying to work out what the commotion was a Sparrow Hawk flew out across the dry-stone wall, quickly turned and in a flash headed back over towards Saxon field.