I see so grand a mass of Swallows
To make a Starling green with envy
Some sit, some soar, some chase or follow
Their movements complementary
Birds by the hundred, too many to list
That would only meet frustration
Instead I marvel in the midst
Of the Swallows murmuration
A Buzzard soared lazily through the warm morning sky as I entered the park, with several Swallows diving and swooping around the Learning Centre as well. A quick chat with the bird ringers revealed that there were a mix of all three Hirundines on the wing, including House Martins and Sand Martins as well. Also caught were 2 Nightjars, 3 Grasshopper Warblers, 1 Redstart, Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats. A Hawfinch was seen but not caught.
Crossing the Car Park past Bristly Ox Tongue, a baby Ash tree and a few Blue Tits I headed for the Clifftops, spotting a few Painted Ladies on Buddleia flowers on the way. A Kestrel hovered briefly above the woods by Durlston Bay, and a Peregrine was perched on a crag, presumably enjoying the morning sun. A few Wild Clematis were still in bloom as well as purple Sea Aster.
I spoke to a passing photographer who had spotted a Whinchat in his travels, and who directed me to a quite extraordinary spectacle. Hundreds of Hirundines were gathered up and down the Gulley, tumbling through the air, alighting on the scrub or resting on power lines. I followed a sheep path to get a closer look. As I passed under the main mass a startled Green Woodpecker flew past a patch of Dog Rose, calling loudly and disturbing the congregation above, which rose into the air in surprise. Incredible.
For a time I sat among these birds, watching them and composing my poem for the morning. It’s amazing to look at them because they don’t flock, at least not like Goldfinches or Starlings. Though they must be working together as they never seem to hit each other, each bird is an individual and follows its own path within the group.
I returned to the Learning Centre via the lighthouse road past a few Chalkhill Blues and Meadow Brown butterflies, occasionally glancing to my right to watch the Swallows as they danced through the sky.