As I looked across the rough grassland a female Roe Deer was nibbling the lush deep green grass which was growing on the top of the Yellow Meadow Ant hill, behind her a large clump of brown Brambles, against which she was very well camouflaged. The grey-brown coat loosing tufts of its winter thickness, the white rump tuft becoming less pronounced as the season progresses.
Running across the meadow, heading for a patch of dead brown Bracken was a Rabbit, a much less commonly seen mammal than ever, whose numbers have sadly plummeted over the last few years.
Down towards Durlston Head a Peregrine Falcon swept by, wings back as it glided. In the distance the dawn sun was highlighting the Isle of Wight in a pink glow, which against the grey-blue sky was a picture.
Superb view of a Fulmar as it floated at my eye level, the dark black feathers around its eye easily seen, such a great bird to watch.
On the water 21 Razorbills bobbed, mostly in pairs, while a on the ledges above the Guillemots were very active, growling and bonding. Through the camera I was able to do a quick count of the top ledge of 193 birds including 5 bridled ones .
A mass of bright yellow Gorse flowers was the perch for a Linnet as it sung, another nearby showing off its pink chest and cheek, while adding to the morning chorus was Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Stonechat.
A Wren meanwhile stood on the top of a Tamarisk branch and blasted its song loud and long.
Flowers are blooming more and more, with the meadows turning a delicate shade of yellow as the Cowslips take over, still not at their best, a little bit of rain needed.
Early Spider Orchids popping up on the downs, many are still wating to open with the furry brown ‘spider’ flower still hidden in the green sepals.
Danish Scurvy Grass, Common Whitlow Grass and Daisy all providing low white flowers, while Celandine and Primroses adding some yellow, Greater Periwinkle, Green Alkanet, Hairy Voilets a purpley blue. This is added to by some early Chalk Milkwort and some extremely early Sea Aster.