A very still start to this bank holiday weekend, perfect for hearing the wonderful array of bird sounds resonating around the National Nature Reserve.
The wheezing of Greenfinches, the quick-quick-slow of the Chaffinch and the regular monotony of the Chiffchaff, were accompanied by the glorious crescendo of the Blackbird and melody of Song Thrush, churring of Blue Tit and Great Tit plus the squeak of a Bullfinch.
This was not all, as once again a Cirl Bunting was singing near the car parks – prior to this year, this species had not been recorded singing here before, and the very few records were many years ago. So exciting times, with much luck a passing female may also find Durlston an attractive place to breed!
From the bottom of the scrubby grass a blurr of brown and the reel of chirping identified a Grasshopper Warbler.
From the top of the Blackthorn bush, the blooms of which are now turning brown, a Common Whitethroat was singing. The scratchy tune and puffed-up white neck feathers making it a very easy bird to spot.
Overhead a few volleys of Swallows, their long tails and metallic deep blue plumage catching the eye as they swooped close to me.
Despite all these birds I found myself becoming obsessed by the Early Spider Orchids, a quick count of a patch up Round Down (250), was soon followed by another 170 as I rounded another corner.
Tearing myself away towards the meadows were the paths around the edges have now been cut, so please stick to these as it reduces the disturbance to the fantastic Skylarks which are displaying overhead.
As I peered over a wall at 4 Roe Deer, (1adult male) the spikes of the Early Spider Orchids caught my view through binoculars and a My obsession continued 122 counted in the small patch I could see – it is a good year for these rare plants!
The Adder’s Tongue Fern is now poking up, and sliming across one plant was a 5” long black Arion Ater slug