As I headed off towards the woodland, I was stopped by the sight of a dark thrush disappearing amongst the spiky twigs of a Hawthorn, something slightly unusual about this black bird, as I searched my mind was hoping for a Ring Ousel, but when I found it again, it was in fact a Blackbird but with some white feathers on its wing, giving it a greyish look when flying.
Disappointed as I was, I was then please to see a Redwing perched in the same tree. The dark red feathers under the wing visible when facing straight on, the pale eye stripe making it look as if it were frowning or squinting!
Alongside some of the waxy green leaves of Japanese Spindle, their berries were on show. The pale pink outers opening out to enable the bright orange centre to be seen.
The tinkling call of a flock of Goldfinches heard overhead, As I looked up they headed downwards into the mass of lichen covered Blackthorn, as they continued to sing and call, despite there being at least 15 and on fairly bare twigs they were ridiculously difficult to see!
On the Holm Oak log, left as habitats on the woodland floor, the frilled brown and white marked Trametes versicolor, also called Turkey Tail. Nearby a patch a slimy yellow Golden Ear Fungus, with a patch of Wrinkled Peach nearby.
While growing on an Elder tree were a couple of huge brown Jelly Ears. And below the tall narrow leaves of Stinking Iris along with the bright orange berries.
A few of our Hazel trees are now adorned with catkins, the long pale yellow tails dangling from the slightly furry twigs.
The strong winds allowing a Kestrel to just hang above the slopes of Durlston Bay. Across the water a Shag looked to be struggling to control its direction as it flew, swaying from side to side as it went.