Happy New Year & welcome to Durlston!
A superb morning for the first in 2026, the sun rising above the horizon producing a gorgeous pinkish and then golden glow all around.
The squawk of a Jay caught my ear, as I turned the flash of blue spotted before it disappeared into the Holm Oak stand. From above me, a loud deep croak was being produced by a Raven, as it flew over its long wings ending in feather fingers, the tail shaped like a wedge added to the thick beak made it unmistakable.
As I looked across the gully at the wonderful colours, a single Carrion Crow was perched on the telegraph pole, behind me the cackling chatter of Jackdaws. Turning, I could see the flock of 35 or so Jackdaws scattered like Christmas baubles in the Sycamore.
In the Hawthorn, teasing the red berries from the spiky twigs with its yellow beak, was a Blackbird. In the same bush a Song Thrush, while another sung loudly and beautifully from the Willow.
In the chill of the morning I was hoping for a Redwing which often turn up in the cold weather, sadly not spotted.
A movement above and I was surprised to see an all white shape, on double checking it was a Little Egret, although they are becoming more and more common, they are still not quite what I expected to see!
Across the grassland and suddenly from about 4foot away shot a small long billed bird, having recovered from the shock, I was able to watch this Snipe as it jinked, its white and brown colours flitting as it travelled.
As the parkrun prepared for the NewYear event, on the cliff below Guillemots were on the ledge, while a quick count of those scattered on the water went to over 100, their growling calls wafting up towards me.
Zooming around three fantastic Fulmars, wheeling around as they adjust the thin straight wings, making for a wonderful sight.