A glorious morning for a wander at Durlston – blue sky, fresh westerly wind and lots of wildlife activity to be seen and heard.
As I looked across the meadow two Roe Deer were showing, the male with his antlers gleaming white in the sunlight, the furry velvet no longer present. Just behind a female browning gently on the Blackthorn – the new blossom buds perhaps a delicacy.
A Dunnock pecking into the dips in the tarmac was chased off by a Grey Squirrel, the Squirrel running and the Dunnock hopping out of its way – eventually taking flight for a few metres at which point the Squirrel continued into the wood!
From the tops of the Elm the movement of Goldcrests, a great view of this tiny bird. The sound of Greenfinches wheezing from a Sycamore and the calling of a Great Tit – ‘teacher-teacher’ it said.
Along the hedges the Viburnum tinus has bold white flowers, Japanese Spindle is covered in small pink berries, while Cherry Laurel has a covering of bright red round berries, from the woodland floor Spring Crocus and Daffodils are blooming.
The cliffs a constant blur of movement, with Herring Gulls gliding past, the differences with the smaller Fulmars obvious to see. These relatives of the albatross keep their mottled grey wings straight as they fly, the barrel chest hanging below.
On the water 14 Razorbills amongst 28 Guillemots, mostly in 2’s and 3’s, the jet black bodies easily distinguishable from the chocolate brown Guillemots as they bobbed – many more on the ledges.
A female Adder was basking on the bare earth, the dark brown zigzag along the back. Difficult to find on the bank to start but so obvious once I knew it was there!
The brush on the top of the stem of a Teasel was occupied by a Goldfinch, more of the flock calling and singing nearby, the sunshine highlighting the glorious golden colours.