Today I decided to take walk to the downland and was very much rewarded. As I stood on the ridge, form below, somewhere amongst the yellow flowered Gorse or the scrubby blossom of the Blackthorn came a ’ts-ts-ts‘, my ears pricked, could it be? The sound repeated and I was able to put the old ditty ‘little-bit-o-‘ to it, listening again and again, the bird completed the ‘no-cheeeeese’ line, unmistakably a Yellowhammer. Peering downward it was discovered perched near the top of a Bramble patch, the bright yellow head showing. Fantastic – the first I’ve had a Durlston this spring, so hopefully boding well for breeding.
Emerging from the short grass a Skylark, followed by 2 others, and the three of them proceeded to chase around the sky before disappearing as quickly as they emerged back into the grass. At least 3 others were singing loudly, including one which rose and fell and rose again enabling me to have a superb view.
A flock of Meadow Pipits also took off from the slopes, while in the background the screeching call of a Peregrine Falcon came for the cliffside.
Amongst the short grass a scattering of purple, as the Hairy Violets are starting to show, while in the woods Common Dog Violet makes for a contrast (if you are keen!).
Across the meadows Cowslips are putting on their early display, with Johnston Meadow the best at the moment, the carpet all across the field. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks the numbers, size and intensity of these lovely flowers will multiply.
A couple of orange breasted Stonechats were perched on Hawthorns either side of the path, one chatting the other silent.
Around the car parks look out for the bright blue of Grape Hyacinth and the sunshine yellow of Lesser Celandine. A Buff-tailed Bumble Bee buzzed past.