Happy faces all around, my colleagues smile with me
A day like this brings joy to all, simple, pure and free
Nature runs in all our blood, a part of me and you
Come one come all to Durlston, and forge that bond anew
The first thing that greeted me today upon my entry to the park was a sound I’ve wanted to hear for a long time, the drumming of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, unmistakable and a welcome herald to the coming of spring. Green Woodpeckers also chimed in with their yaffles, and as I passed a Privet I noticed a Song Thrush perched on one of its higher branches. It chose not to sing on this occasion. I like to think that it too was happy to hear the return of the woodpeckers at long last and didn’t want to steal their thunder.
I made a brief foray into Skipworth Meadow and spotted the slightly odd trio of a Cock Pheasant, Hen Pheasant and Herring Gull all sitting together. Perhaps they were meeting for breakfast? I made an about turn and headed into South Field, where I took a moment to appreciate the rich yellow flowers adorning a patch of Gorse. Great Tits, Blue Tits and Chaffinches filled the air with song as I continued on my way to the Upper Gulley.
Upon arriving I spied another odd trio, a Wood Pigeon, Blackbird and Jay engaged in a brief energetic squabble before flying off in different directions. Making my way down the gulley along the butterfly transect path I scanned the surroundings for unusual birds, but the best thing I managed to see was the flank of a Rabbit disappearing into the scrub.
The Tilly Whim Caves were bathed in warm morning sunshine, and with the low roar of the waves around me I took two minutes to sit and meditate, immersing myself in the world around me. With a calmed mind I traversed the Coast Path, admiring an Adder basking on the sunlit bank above the cave entrance. I also trained my binoculars on a Jackdaw in flight, and watched it for a minute as it circled the clifftops. Its flight was incredibly graceful, a wonder to behold. We so often think of these birds only in terms of their flocks, but as individuals they hold their own majestic beauty that is worth appreciating.
On my travels I passed Julian Sawyer the wildlife photographer, (Check out his exhibition in the gallery starting March 6th), and Hamish Murray, who as usual showed me up with his impressive array of sightings, including Firecrests, a Siskin and a Marsh Tit. As I arrived back at the Learning Centre I caught a flash of unfamiliar colour on a Blackthorn bush. I had spotted a Marsh Tit of my own. In your face Hamish, I can bird watch too.