Walking past the hide this morning there was a cacophony of bird sounds, caused by the bird ringers who were busy carefully ringing Goldfinches, Goldcrests, Blackcaps, Redpoll, Song Thrushes, Redwings among others. Their highlight however was a Yellow-browed Warbler, this a more occasional passage migrant visiting Durlston.
As I walked around the meadows, a quick check on the Herefords Cattle which are grazing in South Field, as I counted a Skylark emerged from the long grass, and a flock of Blackbirds called loudly from the Rosehip covered hedgerow
The Holm Oaks provided a good spot to admire the tiny Goldcrests which were moving about the leaves, but my eye was drawn to the pale cheek of a Firecrest moving with them. The sudden flash of bright pink landing in the twigs of a Hawthorn was that of 2 Bullfinches, the glorious chests wonderful to see, as they took flight the characteristic ‘squeak’ call could be heard above the tinkling of Goldfinches and twittering of Linnets.
A sudden burst of noise heralded the arrival of a flock of 20 Starlings, their feathers tearing through the air as they dropped in amongst the Gorse, then rising again to land again in the Blackthorn scrub – a slight reminder of the excitement of the murmurations at Studland last year.
Overhead more birds are on their various journeys, including a Brambling, Chiffchaffs, Chaffinches, Wood Pigeons and still 50+ Swallows and 10+ House Martins.
The flight of Jays, always looks so gentle, so different to the loud raucous squawk, 3 of these buff, blue and white crows flapping quietly towards the wood. A chunky looking bird of prey, identified as a Peregrine Falcon as it got a little closer, the outline distinctive as it glided along the cliffs.
Reports from the moth traps include a Crimson Speckled a beautiful and delicate looking moth (a rare migrant from North Africa), lots of Oak Rustics, Rush Veneer, Scarce Bordered Straw, an Ear Moth species and a gorgeous green and black Merveille du Jour - see moth of the Day in the Castle!
The buzzing of a Honey Bee alongside a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee as they both hovered around the late flowering Ivy was noted and a Red Admiral joined them in their search for nectar. A few other plants to look out for include the flowers of Self Heal, Small Scabious, Greater Knapweed and Rough Hawkbit, as well as the brilliant pink berries of Spindle.