A stroll out across the Durlston meadows this morning, where I was greeted by slightly squeaky and weak song of a Dunnock. This is the best time of year to get to grips with the ‘resident’ birds and their songs, before the migrants arrive in a few weeks, when they add more complication to the task of song identification!
In addition to the Dunnock, a Blackbird was pouring forth its beautiful song, from its perch on the top most twig of a Hawthorn bush, this bird with a dull brown patch of feathers on its wing rather than the usual dark black.
The delicate blossom of the Blackthorn was looking lovely as it covered a section of this vicious spiky plant, perched on it was a Chaffinch, the song to me sounding a bit like a bowler in cricket - as they run into the stumps getting faster and faster, as they deliver the ball they slow – well it works for me!!
The monotonous repeated calls of a Chiffchaff coming from a patch of Bramble, while the long ‘seeping’ calls of a Greenfinch added to the chorus. There seems to be quite a few of these finches at present, which is hopefully a good sign, as their numbers plummeted a few years ago – so a small recovery on the way.
Overhead, high in sky, almost impossible to see, a Skylark, its presence obvious from the amazing song that was flowing down, on the ground another Skylark was standing, allowing me a good view of the streaky markings and slightly raised feathers on its head, almost making a crest.
Also on the ground, rather detracting from the yellow flowers of the Cowslips which are beginning to carpet the meadows, was a Pheasant.
A fantastic starry sky last night, hopefully it will be the same tonight for our Astronomy evening – come along at 7.30pm for a presentation and the chance to look through the telescopes and be guide around the galaxy! (just £3).