Despite the overcast grey clouds, it was a lovely morning for a stroll across Durlston National Nature Reserve, with birdsong galore and flowers and leaves emerging almost before my eyes.
By the Walling Centre, the flitting gold & red of a Goldfinch as it moved from the blossom laden Apple tree to the Blackthorn, whose blossom is now turning brown as the edges, was accompanied by the slow-slow-quick song of a Chaffinch – another bird spotted in the Blackthorn.
Across the downland the Early Spider Orchids are poking above the grass, the furry brown ‘spider’ like flower on the pale green stem. Spotting one, then another caused me to do a quick count numbering 105 without moving from the spot!
A patch of deep pinky-purple flowers were the Green-winged Orchids, short amongst the grass while nearby some taller pinker and more open flowers of the Early Purple Orchid were visible.
Ahead of me a flash of white as a Wheatear moved to the next rock, a super sighting of this smart bird, while above a Skylark was in song.
A flash of bright pink and a male Linnet was perched on the yellow flowered Gorse, head and chest painted pink. Nearby the scratchy song of a Common Whitethroat flooding the air as this newly arrived African migrant claims territory.
As I checked the scrub for more birds – ever hopeful of a Redstart, I found Chiffchaffs, their greeny-brown plumage blending in well with the background, plus a Willow Warbler and a brown capped Blackcap.
A sudden flurry of Swallows swooping across from the sea, accompanied by what looked like a Sand Martin (I only caught a very quick glimpse before it disappeared over the horizon)
Back across the meadow and a patch of yellow-green leaves brought me to the Adder’s-tongue Fern, the 1-2” tall, thick leaves and strange long tongue an example of the weird and wonder of nature!