A brilliantly sunny start to the day here at Durlston. A cool refreshing breeze seemed to follow me in every direction this morning, reminding me that, although we’ve just entered autumn, winter is fast approaching.
I started in Small Copse this morning, where a Kestrel was hovering on its fringes, beautifully back lit, it’s outer feather tinted gold. Four Red Admirals were basking in the sun on the dry-stone walls, gathering heat before they start their day. A female Sparrowhawk raced along the hedgerow before turning a corner and disappearing around the other side of the Copse. A good start to the morning!
Over on the meadows there were plenty of birds with longtails; Pied Wagtails, Grey Wagtails, Swallows and Long Tailed Tits all going about their long-tailed business.
Plenty of red berries out at the moment, unripe Blackberries, Haws, Bryonies and Rosehips. The Old Man’s Beard is doing a good job at blanketing piles of scrub with fluffy white tops, they even make it look inviting to lie on! (don’t do this).
As I wondered down lighthouse Road, a Whinchat perched nicely on top of some scrub, another morning where I wish I brought my camera!
The gully was empty and quiet this morning due to a lingering Peregrine, good to see nonetheless, and my 3rd Raptor of the morning.
The coast path was quiet as well this morning, until I turned up the hill on Durlston Head. There were 50+ Black-headed Gulls diving and squabbling in the bay. Unfortunately, they were too far out for me to distinguish any rare or vagrant species amongst them through my binoculars. I then looked down over the wall and there was a lovely lady Roe Deer, sat sunbathing just beneath where I was stood.
Heading down the coast path towards Solent Road, there were two Buzzards riding the first thermals of the day, popping in and out of view through the Holme oaks and the blotchy sunlight.