The sound of a ‘seeping’ Redwing alerted me to a small group flying overhead, while a few others were standing in amongst the branches of the Hawthorn bushes. The red patches on their flanks, seen as they perched, as was the pale band of eye stripe.
In the bushes just above was a flock of Goldfinches, the feathers on the buff coloured underside being ruffled by the wing, this showing the grey base to the feathers.
A bright pink movement in the Spindle was that of a Bullfinch, always such a glorious bird to watch, the male much brighter that the female, a long squeaky call being emitted between the two birds.
To the ‘Dell’ in search of the Palla’s Warbler which was seen yesterday, but no sighting of this small greeny-yellow visitor from 3000miles away in the Far East – but it might turn up again!
However very good views of probably 3 tiny Firecrest as it bobbed in and out of the small twigs of Elm, Sycamore and Holm Oak. Easy to spot for a moment then required searching before it popped its head out again. In the same area a flock of Goldcrests flitting about.
A quick swooping sound and a Peregrine Falcon zipped across the sky, the flocks of small birds seemingly opening apart as it came through. Ahead of it were large groups of Wood Pigeons, hundreds counted as black specks against the sky.
As I walked around Durlston Head the sun came out and the rain stopped, flying low across the water was a Shag, while the similar, but larger Cormorant was flying high in the sky.
On the cliff face 2 Peregrines were perched – the larger female lower down and the smaller male nearer the top. This may have been the same bird seen earlier – or not.
More fungi dotted around, with Parasol, Shaggy Inkcap, Field Mushroom and Field Blewitt just a few to be identified.