I had barely got my binoculars round my neck when the action began! A bird of prey gliding overhead, in the early morning gloom the binoculars were required to be sure of identification – it was a Peregrine Falcon - looking sleeker in flight than normal.
Settling back to look at the patch of Bramble and Blackthorn scrub, where Dunnocks were skulking low down, hopping from twig to twig. These birds are often overlooked but are quite beautifully marked with grey heads, and a variety of brown tones, from pale to dark to chestnut.
A strange loud honking sound came from above me in the sky, insisting I look upwards, at which point the ungainly sight of a Grey Heron appeared. The long neck bent double and the long legs tucked up under the body, huge wide wings slowly flapping as it travelled.
From the Large Copse came the yaffling cackle of a Green Woodpecker, unusually not just a single burst but a constant repeating of the laughing.
The back meadows are awash with water, not surprising that there are puddles galore, we have had well over 2 inches (50+mm),in the last 5 days.
Into the woods and a Song Thrush was providing a fluty musical accompaniment, as it perched near the top of one of our super Lime trees.
Continuing on towards the coast path, and the roar of the waves as they rolled into Durlston Bay, crashing noisily onto the large rocks, took over my ears.
Bobbing amongst the seething mass of pale grey water and white froth was a Shag, looking deep green with an erect crest. Nearby Herring, Great Black-backed and Mediterranean Gulls also on the water.
Skimming low a group of 6 gleaming white Gannets, formation ruined when one changed direction.
Around the corner, floating just under the observation were 13 Razorbills, mostly in obvious pairs, and for once no Guillemots to outnumber them.