Barely a movement or rustle in the hedgerows as I began my early patrol, which was marked throughout by the constant stream of Swallows, these coming over the downland from the west then many sweeping around Durlston Head and along the woodland above the Bay. I couldn’t resist a quick count, 100 in that minute.
Other bird watching was more infuriating, as I stood for ages gazing at a clump of Tamarisk, trying to get a good glimpse of the small birds that were flitting through and around it. Either I was too slow to raise my binoculars to the place last seen, so they weren’t there or the perched on the wrong side of the branch meaning wispy fronds of green were enabling me to see a tiny flash of leg, head or body – but not them all!!
However eventually really good views of a Chiffchaff, sporting dark legs and a slightly greeny brown colour, a Willow Warbler, with paler legs and more yellowy-green and a Blue Tit (so much easier to recognise with its blue head and yellow chest!).
Turning to look at the sea, which had barely a ripple, a Shag skimmed past while another stood erect on the rocks preening.
Near the top of the Portland limestone cliff a Peregrine Falcon was perched, its pale front noted, a little further along a second Peregrine could also be seen, this one facing away from me so its dark grey back was visible. From behind me, a screeching call erupted, and the first bird had burst into flight, passing just above the Great Black-backed Gull – which took no notice, and below a Rock Pipit which also ignored this bird of prey.
Hopping around the dry-stone wall a small flock of Meadow Pipits, while in the field a Skylark was spotted. The gold flashes on the wings of Goldfinches captured my attention as this charm landed together amongst the leaves of a Dogwood bush, upon which a few white berries have now emerged.
Winding its way across the path, the black (well very slightly purple), was a Greater-bloody Nosed Beetle, swaying from side to side as it wound along, this female having comparatively small feet when put alongside the male.