A quite glorious morning, with a slight frost showing on many patches of grass, the leaves covered in white frozen crispy crystals. This after a wonderfully clear night where the planets and stars could be seen superbly.
On the bank of the gully a large roundish form of a male Pheasant was being highlighted by the sun, the coppery colour showing in full glory, this was the first of 5 male and 3 female Pheasants spotted across Durlston today.
From a large patch of Blackthorn scrub came the wheezing sound of a Greenfinch, although I couldn’t find it hidden amongst the spiky twigs and almost bursting buds. However a little further along another Greenfinch was perching at the top of the twigs of an Elder, greens and yellows galore.
The song of a Skylark was floating down from up high, against the blue sky, a small dark dot was just visible.
Later the more twittery call of a Meadow Pipit caught the attention, as this bird landed on an ant hill (produced by the Yellow Meadow Ant) I could see a pale ring around its eye and delicate striped wings.
Along the Coast path, where we have undertaken replacement of the dilapidated fence and some scrub cutting, a Stonechat was perched on the Gorse. Orange chest, white collar and black head, bobbing slightly as it perched.
Up on the ridge a male Roe Deer was standing, looking down on me as I looked up at it, its antlers and ears outlined by the blue sky behind.
Emerging from the bushes in the gully several Wood Pigeons, as they take flight there is a noisy crashing alerting me to their presence!
The sound also disturbing the chorus of song from the Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren and Chaffinch. When listening to the songs I always wish to see the bird as well (just to check!), but not always easy amongst the rambling scrub patches!