What a glorious spring morning for a walk at Durlston, bright sunshine, barely a breath of wind and birdsong the overarching sound of the patrol. I sat on the rocks above the gully looking down across the forest of Blackthorn, which is covered by the off-white coloured carpet of its delicate petals, looking almost as if it has been painted in watercolour on top.
The birdsong was constant and included Dunnock, a weaker song than both the Robin and the Wren which was blasting out from the lower branches of the Privet patch.
The rattling song of Chaffinch also easy to hear, but the dominant sound was that of Chiffchaffs calling across the gully, while the much more delicate and tuneful song of Willow Warblers could be heard.
A patch of bright yellow Gorse from which the wafting smell of coconut was being emitted, was being occupied by a flock of Linnets, their pink breast patch and continual twittering making them easy to find.
Up on the downs 3 Yellowhammers were singing ‘little-bit-o-bread-no-cheeeeeese’, the brilliant yellow heads and chests of the males stunning in this mornings light. 2 Wheatears were hopping along the dry-stone wall upon which a Peacock butterfly was basking.
Overhead the migration continues with 12 Swallows, and three species of Wagtails – Yellow, Pied and Grey.
On the water which was reflecting as it rippled, over 100 Guillemots were scattered like confetti, bobbing about having left their breeding ledge.
Passing at sea were 15 Scoter, a Sandwich Tern, and the first Whimbrel of the year.
From the bare earth the emergence of Solitary Bees continues, while both Dark-winged and Spotted Bee-flies hovered.
A wonderful field of Cowslips to admire while a few specimens of all 3 early orchids are now flowering – Early Spider, Early Purple and Green-winged.