A stunning moon still shining brightly in the west as the sunrise was beginning in the east, the ground slightly crispy underfoot and covered in a sprinkling of white frost – sadly no snow for us.
A Sparrowhawk flapped its wings as it took off from a Beech tree, the comparatively long tail showing off its stripes as it glided above the Landslips of Durlston Bay. While watching it travelled above a new area of mudslide, where the very soft beige clay was oozing water, and halfway down, a patch of Sycamores were still standing on an Ivy covered island – despite being 30foot further down than the other day!
At this improved view a passage of Gannets could be seen skimming above the water and in the distance a stream of Guillemots and Razorbills headed up the Channel.
In the thin twigs of a huge Horse Chestnut a flock of Long-tailed Tits dangled and hung, flitting over and upside down as they looked for food morsels for breakfast, as they searched there was a constant twitter and chatter coming from them. As the sun shone towards them they were highlighted, their pink feathers all fluffed up against the cold.
Throughout the woods the cooing of Wood Pigeons could be heard, sometimes accompanied by the crashing sound as they squabbled amidst the branches of the Sycamores and Elms.
Squatting on stumps and on logs were Grey Squirrels, using their front paws to hold the Holm Oaks acorns as they munched on them.
Along the Portland cliffs, perched on an outcrop was a Peregrine Falcon, the grey back facing the sea, while the bird was gazing at the rocks, perhaps a Feral Pigeon was being eyed up for breakfast. In this position it was easy to admire the thick white collar which stopped abruptly at the stripy chest, with bright yellow feet, talons outstretched on the rock.
Guillemots once again packed on the ledges, the noisy growling and gargling calls giving them away before the ledge came into view.
A splash of the orange berries of the Stinking Iris alongside a patch of yellow flowering Gorse added some extra colour to my patrol.