A chilly start under brilliant blue skies, once again the numbers of Swallows and House Martins, plus a scattering of Sand Martins the main feature of the early patrol. A constant flight as they headed east, zipping around, difficult to get good views as they moved so quickly above me.
In the gully, perched on the top of the silver coloured twigs of an Elder, was a Kestrel, the dull brown coloured feathers of this female fluffed up against the early morning chill that was in the air.
The tinkling calling of a charm of Goldfinches as they landed amongst the dead seed heads of Greater Knapweed and of Black Knapweed. As the sunlight caught the feathers flashes of gold and white and red to be seen.
Changing my route, with the sun behind me, it was much easier to see the colours of the birds, which enabled me to enjoy as superb view of a Cirl Bunting as it perched in the top of the Hawthorn bush. The greenish yellow stripes on its head and browny-chestnut bid showing. Hopefully the Cirl Bunting is becoming a permanent feature of Durlston, having bred for the second time this year.
As I wandered around the back meadows, flitting in and out of the leaves of the Sycamore were a few Chiffchaffs, despite their activity and movement they were difficult to get good views of as they disappeared behind the large brown and green leaves just as I got my binoculars focussed !!
Looking across the meadows at the newly growing grass, it is amazing how quickly the fields have turned green again after the dried brown of the summer. On the edge was the tan coloured hide of a Roe Deer which got up and trotted into the hedge.
On the ground signs of the autumn with fungi emerging including Field Mushrooms, as I looked my attention was caught by a Slug (Arion Ater) sliding across the ground towards a patch of yellow flowered, low growing Fleabane.
A few butterflies to discover including the Meadow Brown, Wall Brown and Red Admiral. A flash of white alerted me to a Large White which was basking on the leaves of an Ivy, while a movement of yellow made me turn to see a Clouded Yellow flap before closing its wings again and disappearing as it perched on the top of a Bristly Ox-tongue.
Hovering above the newly flowering Ivy was a Drone Fly, this hoverfly looks more like a bee, which it mimics in both looks and flight pattern, so helping keep it from predation.