Off out to the meadows to gaze at the glorious display of Cowslips, a vast carpet of yellow especially in Johnston and Oxeye meadows. As I admired the beautiful song of a Skylark wafted down form the grey skies, a tiny brown dot eventually traced against the clouds.
Many of the Blackthorn hedgerows are now moving onto the next phase, after a short but brilliant covering of delicate white perfumed blossom, the green leaves are taking over, while the Hawthorn is already a mass of bright green leaves. Perched on the top of these were some Common Whitethroats, a strong scratchy song being performed by these newly arrived African migrants. Their brown backs contrasting with the white strip around its neck.
Onto the downs which has a smattering of Early Spider Orchids, small brown and green rarities, the vast majority of the British population found in this coastal area of Purbeck.
The Hereford cows and their young calves were grazing the slopes, with Jackdaws making the most of the fluffy coats, by pulling tufts out to use in their nests – one cow was amusingly being fought over by two Jackdaws!
To the cliffs where a Stonechat and some Linnets were on the Gorse, a Meadow Pipit emerged from the ground and a Rock Pipit sung above the blowhole.
Skimming above the water were 7 Gannets, fantastic long white wings with black tips plus one of last year’s juveniles – much darker all over.
A Peregrine Falcon was floating past, first heading east then west, the slate grey back with drawn back wings making it unmistakable.
Cackling on the cliffs were 3 Fulmars, another 4 were flying about, always wonderful to watch. Meanwhile on the Guillemot ledge the first egg is due any day now – pop into the centre to have a look at them on the live camera.
Last night in the fog the sudden snorting and sound of crashing from the undergrowth was followed by the emergence of 2 Badgers, scuttling across and up the hill.
Birdringers reported both re-traps of Common and Lesser Whitethroat, and a pollen covered Firecrest.