As I began my patrol, the sound of the bird calls was coming from the wildlife area, a sure sign that the bird ringers were in undertaking the long-term study of bird movements.
Walking past a good view of a Sedge Warbler, the pale streak over its eye showing up well – couldn’t see the legs (for a ring) so I wonder if this one had ventured in?
Out into the meadows today to check what needed to be cut for hay, as I looked at the state of the meadows there is not much rich grass left, mostly dead and drying stems, but still the heads of Crested Dog’s Tail, Cocksfoot and Yorkshire Fog easy to spot, as are the small round capsules of Pale Flax.
Within the meadows the taller Agrimony stems seem to hide, but their grabbing seeds cover your socks and laces which are perfect for their Velcro like hooks.
Just on the downland an outline of a bird catches my eye, looking into the bright sky behind it was difficult to identify, but near by a similar shape on which marking and colour was visible – a Cirl Bunting, and as I looked more closely amongst the Blackthorn, another four were seen, at least three of which were youngsters, only recently fledged, all fluffy and less well marked. Up until 2023 years ago Cirl Buntings had not been seen here at Durlston (at least in the last 50 years), so a good news story.
Fluttering up from the meadows a Skylark took flight, fluttering just above the waving grasses, the multicoloured browns being caught by the sunlight.
Fluttering up elsewhere Common Blue and Meadow Brown butterflies as well as a Small Heath.