26th February from the West Cliff Green, Bournemouth
The sun rises into a clear blue sky tufted with little white clouds at the edges. It is bitterly cold as the sky clouds over and even when the sun appears again after Noon it does little to warm things up. The sea is agitated but not rough. A great tit amusing himself in a bare tree flitting from branch to branch. Each time he flies he utters his distinctive two note call in groups of four and five and finishing on the same note he started on. Thus: duh dit, duh dit, duh dit, duh dit, duh. Bird identifying books always give this as Teacher, teacher,teacher, teacher but I think that can be misleading if you’re not familiar. Just stand and listen.
From 26th February 2022
Another day with a bone-biting, finger-numbing icy wind. Yet the sun burns down brilliantly from a clear sky. Walkers hurry by briskly coat collars and hoods up. One or two hardy couples try to picnic in the sunshine. The surf is broken and froths into a creamy lather with a continuous rushing sound. Gulls circle in the empty sky calling plaintively. #bournemouth #westcliffgreen #springisonitsway #February
From 26th February 2021
The air is clear and sharp. The navy blue night seems to go on for ever. I can see every single pinprick of light on the Western side of the Isle of Wight. Ships passing out in the Channel and every single marker and leading light in the bay. The moon is bright as a searchlight but the night is so clear I can see all the stars in the Southern sky. The brightest tonight seems to be the Little Dog Procyon, hard and brilliant, high in the Southern sky. Orion is wheeling away and fading towards the sunset meaning Spring is here.
From 26th February 2020
A searching, chill wind with little patches of overnight snow. But the sun comes up in a bright orange ball and the birds are giving it their springtime best. Good to hear the wheezy call of the greenfinches among the blackbirds, thrushes and robins.
From 26th February 2018
Snowing on the West Cliff. Proper snow.
From 26th February 2017
The street lights reflect off the rain-slick empty road. Twigs and leaves litter the pavement. A solitary car suddenly swishes past. The wind gusts so that I can hardly make progress through it. Sea state - moderate to rough. Fastnet, Dogger, Rockall. And now, before close down - "Sailing By".
