The Herring Gulls this morning were doing their usual morning wakeup call, swirling around high in the sky. As the sun was rising it was creating a spectacular view; the wide vista of the calm ocean was met by a striking burnt orange strip, where a small gap in the clouds on the horizon made the sunshine through. As I rummaged through the undergrowth collecting discarded waste, a Song Thrush, Blackbird and Wren were in the same area, it felt like I was copying their movements.
The huge London Planes made a nice perch for another Song Thrush and a Robin sang out from a Holly tree. As I watched the sea from a view point a pleasure fishing boat was making its way west, a Shag was flying low to the water east and a small charm of Goldfinches flew over the top of the landslip. The Isle of Wight was super clear, and the sun was outlining it beautifully.
The flowers of Stinking Iris are going over now, making way for the vivid orange fruits about to appear. The RNLI were making there way west across Durlston Bay, in the hope everyone was ok, it later returned to Swanage Bay. Great Tits were up in a Sycamore tree and a Chaffinch was moving around a Holm Oak.
Down at the Observation Point, an unusual feeling, the Jackdaws were nowhere to be seen and a single Fulmar sat in a nook, on the water 20 Guillemots and 8 Razorbills bobbed and dived in the water. A few sailing boats were slowly making their way across the water, the water was calmly touching the edges of the cliff and the Guillemot ledge was empty, it was all very quiet and felt like we are nearing the end of the Seabird breeding season.
Lady’s Bedstraw still added a yellow to the cliff tops, and later the sight of Marbled Whites, Gatekeeper and Large Skipper reminded me that there is still so much more to come this summer. As I had been walking along the coast path I could hear the Kestrels, then found sitting on the mile-markers. Back up through the woods Stonechat, Wren, Whitethroat and Blackcap were all seen.