A damp early morning, with cold drizzle steadily falling, off to the meadows to see how spring was springing – very slowly if you were a flower!
The birds making more of an effort with Chaffinches singing their tune, which reminds me of a fast bowler in cricket running in to bowl, it helps me remember it anyhow!
Above the meadows a Skylark was singing beautifully and loudly, a constant reeling of sound. Once this one finished a second one took up the baton ensuring the soundtrack continued.
The scrubby hedgerow of Blackthorn, whose buds are close to emerging, the ends now white waiting to open into the most delicate of white petals.
In amongst the hedges the churring of Great Tits, the black stripe down their chests and yellow waistcoat providing a bright patch against the grey background of sky. A Robin nearby was adding to the spring birdsong as was the squeaky Dunnock and the powerful if tiny Wren.
Overhead a Raven croaked, the massive black bird dwarfing the Meadow Pipit it was flying alongside.
In the background the yaffling call of a Green Woodpecker, no view of it today, but fantastic views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying just above my head, a chance to see its spotted underside and red patches.
On the ground some splashes of yellow from the flowers including the shiny leaves of Lesser Celandine, Primroses and Dandelions.
On returning to the Centre I received a report of 5 Bottlenose Dolphins swimming westerly off the Lighthouse at 8.05am. These Dolphins have been sighted a few times over the last week so keep an eye out to sea.
While looking watch for the Razorbills and Guillemots bobbing on the water.
Further reports: 10 Bottlenose Dolphins off Durlston Castle 11.40, close in, so good views had by many as they headed eastwards.