A change in the weather greeted me as patrolled the Park, a gentle wind and a mostly grey cloud covered sky.
Strolling out across the meadows and the sound of Skylarks came from the sky. At least three different birds were singing, their tunes competing against each other, producing a lovely accompaniment to my walk.
Underfoot, despite the dry weather over the last few days, it is still very soft and muddy in places, showing in the muddy puddle edge were the distinctive footmarks of a Badger, its five toes showing.
From a number of Blackthorn bushes came the sound of Chaffinches, these birds uttering their song, which to me is a bit like a cricket fast bowler speeding up as they reach the crease to release the ball!! Helps me remember and recognise the sound at least.
I headed to the western end of Durlston, after reports yesterday of 6 Cirl Buntings (1 male) and singing Dartford Warbler, to search for these – but no luck. A couple of Stonechats reduced my disappointment.
In Field 2, were 4 Roe Deer, one looked to be was staring at the cow over the wall, the other busy grazing.
A sudden flurry from the dead long grass and a female Pheasant rose with a clatter of wings and feathers, this bird perfectly camouflaged before making its move!
On the top of the downland the early spring plants are starting to show, including the tiny white flowers of Common Whitlow Grass, not yet really open, but so close on the stems I spotted.
Also a single patch of Hairy Bittercress spotted, the thin dark-red stamens and white flower to be admired.
A female Kestrel perched on the phone wires, was joined by an attentive male, hopefully a good sign for breeding.