Another quite glorious morning for a walk at Durlston – we are proud to be taking part in National Nature Reserves week – showcasing this wonderful place.
To the cliff to watch the seabirds. On the water, well over a hundred chocolate brown and white Guillemots were bobbing in a three-bird wide long line. On the ledges another 300or more can be seen, many of these sitting (uncomfortably) on their huge speckled pyriform shaped egg, the first of whom is expected to hatch any day now after the 4-weeks of incubation.
Soaring magnificently up and around the cliff were 3 Fulmars, grey markings on their thin wings. As they rose higher the black feathers showing around the eyes.
A dark grey back of a Peregrine Falcon caught my eye, the wings swept back as it dashed past, as it turned the yellow feet dangled for a moment.
A pink hue across some of the cliffs, the Sea Pinks or Thrift or Pink Pin Cushion, waving gently in the breeze. Just beginning to show are the kidney shaped yellow-flowered, Kidney Vetch.
Dangling from the leaves of Wood Sage and Wild Madder, white frothy globules of Cuckoo Spit, inside each one a tiny Froghopper nymph is developing.
In full song, from the top of the Wayfaring Tree, a Common Whitethroat gushed forth, its white neck feathers moving in and out as it sung.
Alongside in the Gorse, Linnets were twittering, the pinkish chest and cap showing in the sunlight.
A few small purple flowers of Woody Nightshade are coming into bloom, while the purple of Greater Periwinkle are fading away.