A blustery (25mph) wind to enjoy as I patrolled Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve this morning. Just near the Learning Centre a Kestrel was struggling to control its hovering, the normally immaculate twitching being adversely affected by the gusts.
Against the sound of the wind the tinkling of a small charm of Goldfinches could be heard, and then I spotted them as they dropped into the top twigs of a clump of Blackthorn, allowing good views to be had of the browns, red and Olympic gold.
Bolting across the sky was a Peregrine Falcon – the fastest bird in the world on a stoop. This bird of prey disappearing as it banked over the clifftops.
The ‘squeak’ of a Bullfinch brought my attention back down from the skies, to spot this stunning bird perched in the Hawthorn, as it hopped along the branch removing something small from the bark, it provided a superb opportunity to study this pink, black, white and grey finch.
Trundling across the turf was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, on closer inspection of the ground another was nearby clinging to the hook-covered Bedstraw – this, the foodplant of the fat green larvae.
Across the downland a wonderful display of Small Scabious, many delicate petals making up the lilac-blue flower heads. Even lower on the ground the rambling Bastard Toadflax spotted, which a couple of days ago had the larvae of the Downs Sheildbug feeding on them – no sign of this small fussy eater this morning.
Zooming by along the cliffs were 2 Fulmars, such wonderful birds to watch as they sweep towards and away from the rock face making flying look such fun and so effortless even in these conditions.