Sing for me Song Thrush, I want to hear your voice
Your tune is so much richer than the Raven or the Jay
Sing for me Song Thrush, for if I had my choice
I would have you sing for me every single day.
I took the Woodland path into Durlston again today, entering to a fanfare of Magpies, with backing vocals from dozens of Goldfinches. I didn’t spot any fancy fungi on my stroll today, just the usual suspects of Hairy Stearum and Turkey Tail.
Several Robins were being very vocal as I set out for the Meadows, and ahead of me I spotted a Blackbird coming in to perch on an Ash tree. The yellow beak on black body very distinctive even when seen from distance without binoculars. A little further I was treated to an excellent medley of birds, with the twisted branches of an Elder hosting a Redwing and a Song Thrush, practically sitting side by side. A Bullfinch briefly fluttered up to join them, making a very pretty trio.
Continuing on past our happily breakfasting Herefords, I headed over to Brian Johnson Meadow, though sightings were few and far between on the way. It seems all my luck was at the beginning. I was fortunate enough to spy a Red Admiral fluttering up from a crevice in a dry stone wall.
Looping back towards the Lighthouse, the slopes supported a few scattered Bristly Ox Tongue, as well as a couple of Field Mushrooms. Reaching the coast path, I took a peaceful stroll up to the Castle, the gentle sounds of the ocean to my right providing a pleasantly soothing accompaniment. Jackdaws circled up ahead, and as I looked on a much larger black bird glided lazily through the midst of them. Its tail came to a distinctive point in the centre rather than splaying out in a fan, forming a clear diamond shape. That’s a Raven.
One of our regular park visitors who I refer to affectionately as “Mr Adders” reported a single Guillemot, floating on the water beneath the nesting ledge. I’m glad that Durlston is attracting some out of season tourists.