Unlike the disgusting weather on Sunday, today was pretty spectacular. First I walked along the verge of Longmeadow. I spotted the escaping yellowish green rump of a Green Woodpecker flying off into the distance. Three Jays foraged along the verges and a single Redwing poked around in the hedgerow.
In the woodland, Snowdrops have started to emerge on the verges. Great-spotted woodpeckers have started drumming, establishing their breeding territory.
The Ravens were flying back and forth collecting nest material. Ravens pair for life and are one of the first birds to have young. They usually start nest building in mid-February and todays sighting shows that they are on schedule!
No Guillemots on the ledge or in the sea. A rarity at Durlston. A single Fulmar patrolled the cliffs, Rock Pipits flittered between perches and three Shags flew out to sea.
I went looking for the Black Redstart that has been lingering around Anvil Point for the last few weeks, but I didn’t spot it this morning.
Along the diagonal path are plenty of bracket fungus on the log edging and dead trees including Turkey Tails, Bleeding Oak Crust and Hoof Fungus. On the topic of fungus, I went looking for more around the Dell and amongst the rotting log piles were the reaching blackened points of the Dead Man’s Finger fungus.
Caravan terrace was buzzing with bird song. Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Robin and Dunnock were all singing. Blue Tits called and passed through. Overhead I heard the mellow call of a Greenfinch and as I was leaving, two Chaffinch darted into sight and land in a Sycamore.
Heading back towards the Learning Centre were yellow and purple Spring Crocus on the verges of the car park.