After the wind and rain of yesterday, a glorious morning here at Durlston, the sun producing long shadows across the ground.
The squawk of a Jay alerted me to this buffy-pink coloured bird, the blue flashes on its wing catching the eye as it flew, while the white rump was most conspicuous as the bird disappeared into the Dogwood. 3 more of these birds were perched in various Holm Oaks, probably here to enjoy the fest of acorns.
The sunshine lighting up the delicate markings of a Meadow Pipit as it perched at the top of a Blackthorn bush, the pale pinkish legs also obvious, not often seen when it is in amongst the grasses actually on the meadow!
Stonechats noisily discussing something, their name echoing in the sound of stone rolling together to make the chat-chat-chat. The plumage of these birds telling the maturity and sex.
In the grass a bright Yellow Field Cap mushroom poking its conical head up on the thin stem. Nearby a Clouded Funnel was also showing as was a Bolbitus Vitalmus on a pile of cow dung.
Undulating across the sky was a Green Woodpecker, a loud cackle being yelled as it went past, while erupting from the hedgerow edge was a male Pheasant, its head a glorious blue green.
Along the cliff top the Jackdaws were tumbling and playing as if enjoying the lack of rain. While not a Guillemot to be seen today on the ledges or water.
More Wood Pigeons pouring across, one flock consisted 300 birds, and this was just one of many, most today seemed to be heading south.
Last night, during a lull in the rain, a Tawny Owl was calling, a regular ‘Twit’, while another was answering it with a ‘twoo’.