What a glorious late September morning, the sun low above the horizon, a golden glow over the Country Park and National Nature Reserve.
Without a breath of wind, the movements amongst the bushes could all be put down to bird activity. The tinkling of Goldfinches as they descended onto the tops of the Sycamore, made me look up to see this ‘charm’ of red, gold and brown birds flitting from branch to branch.
A stroll into the gully where I perched on the top of the dry-stone wall, to be joined by a Chiffchaff moving around the twigs and leaves, this greenish brown warbler within touching distance, enabling superb views and study of its delicate markings.
As it flew further away another bird landed, this chunkier and more heavily marked being a Spotted Flycatcher, this then flitted up and down around the Apple tree I was half sitting under – such a treat.
Buzzing about the pale yellow Ivy flowers are numerous Ivy Bees, joined by Red Admiral butterflies.
Gazing out across the flat blue sea, not a single ripple or white horse to be spotted, however a group of 4 gleaming white Gannets flew westwards, and a couple of dark Shags flew east. Nothing else disturbing the surface, with no sign of the Bottlenose Dolphins or Blue-fin Tuna, both of which were spotted yesterday afternoon.
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Patrolling the upper meadows as part of the Ranger Team’s tree safety surveying, I traverse the Southern edge of Centenary field.
Just as I turn away from admiring the last few blooms of Hawkweed Oxtongue, their yellow petals echoing the bright light of the new day, I spot a streamlined fighter jet make a swooping dive into the hedge line, before aborting its attack run to alight atop the Hawthorn.
Relentlessly bombarded by Meadow Pipit alarm calls, the Kestrel takes a moment to collect itself before launching once more into the still blue sky.
Beyond, a notably large ‘murder’ of seventeen Carrion Crows sits atop the spoil heaps of Durlston’s quarrying past, seemingly basking in the welcome warmth of this perfect Autumn morning.