A strong south-westerly wind blowing across the National Nature Reserve this morning, making much of the wildlife take cover and hide away from my prying eyes!
However a few Swallows were flashing across the sky, the dark backs and pale undersides contrasting as they flew.
The twittering of a flock of Goldfinches was heard, this group then fluttered down to land on mass amongst the branches of a Hawthorn tree, as they perched the gold flashes of the wing noted.
High up in the canopy of Black Pines the high-pitched calls of Goldcrests could be heard above the wind, and after come searching good views were achieved of this tiny bird. Popping up every now and then was a Chiffchaff, looking sleek and with a slight eye-stripe.
As I walked towards the west end of the Park a Peregrine Falcon rose ahead of me, its silhouette of deep chested and swept back wings quite distinctive from behind, as the bird swooped around it came close enough for me to see the yellow rings around its eyes.
On the far downland the Hereford Cattle were ‘mooing’, our two herds that were split over Durlston and Townsend for the summer have joined together again for their annual testing – making quite a sight.
Not the best October night for a moth trap, however still a beautiful orange / yellow Barred Sallow to see as well as a fairly well worn Common Wainscot plus a Silver Y and a single Lesser Yellow Underwing.
Also attracted to the light were a few Crane Flies, and on the egg boxes a couple of Garden Snails had made themselves comfortable.
Coming along the clifftop Rock Pipits flitting about, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls floated slowly past, just hanging in the strong wind and a young Herring Gull flew the opposite way.
The odd bit of colour from Sea Aster still catching the eye as is the dull pink of Hemp Agrimony and on some of the hedges the brilliant pink of Spindle.