Another early morning under the grey and overcast skies, but upon looking upwards black dots moved towards me, becoming larger as they did so, until the distinctive shape of 2 Ravens became unmistakable, their deep throated croak echoing around the Park at the same time.
Hovering above the tufts of Tor Grass was a Kestrel, the head of this bird staying in the same spot as its wings and tail twitched and fluttered, just an amazing sight to see and to admire its dexterity.
As I went out across the fields, a squeaky piping call erupted from the grass, from where a Meadow Pipit took off allowing me a fairly good look despite the dull weather conditions, no sign this morning of the Skylark which has been spotted a couple of times recently.
The Blackthorn and Hawthorn hedge on the boundary contained 3 species of Thrush, these being the dark brown Blackbird, the speckle chested Song Thrush and a migrant Redwing. This easily told apart from the Song Thrush by the flash of red under its wings as it flew, and upon landing the pale stripe above its eye was easy to spot.
A quick count of our remaining Cattle – 14 in number, the females have been taken away to calve, while pecking the ground amongst the hooves was a small flock of Starlings. Perhaps these are part of the thousands that are starring in the murmurations at Studland each evening at present.
Despite the recent chilly weather a few flowers have emerged including around the Castle some bright yellow Daffodils, on the verge the pale lilac colour of Spring Crocus and in the woods the slightly almond smelling Winter Heliotrope, the large green leaves are however more noticeable.
From amongst the thick, shiny almost waxy leaves of the Japanese Spindle came the squeak of a Bullfinch, eventually spotted after a bit of a search, the white rump flashing as it turned, a few seconds later the much larger rump of a Jay seen as it took flight.