A glorious early morning here at Durlston, the National Nature Reserve full of activity from both wildlife and humans.
As I stood in bottom of the gully a strange click clack was to be heard, a moment of confusion as I couldn’t think of any bird that made that sound and then it dawned – the Purbeck Nordic Walking Marathon was on its way, the noise being the tapping of their walking poles on the ground. Alongside this was the chatter of voices, after the 100+ had walked by the sound of a birds became more evident with a Robin singing loudly from the Wild Pear tree and the tack-tack of the Blackcaps coming from many patches of scrub.
As I searched through the blackberry laden Bramble and sloe laden Blackthorn, more Blackcaps came into view as did Chiffchaffs, Common Whitethroats and a Reed Warbler.
A wonderful sight of Swallows as they swooped across, sometimes flying straight toward me then peeling away at the last moment, providing good views for us both!
The yaffling call of a Green Woodpecker, brought this bird to my notice, as I watched it undulate across the sky until landing on the upright of the telephone pole, its yellow and red patches catching the morning sunlight.
Along the coast a noisy Peregrine Falcon was calling, the high pitched wail attracting my attention, peering along the rocks I spotted 2 of these majestic birds of prey as they stood, one with a more slate grey coloured back than the other, which had more of a brown tinge.
Nearby a few flowers still bloomed including the lilac Sea Aster and the pale green-yellow of Rock Samphire. The Golden Samphire has gone over leaving just the dark green leaves and shrivelled flower head, the Wild Carrot is also dried up as is the Durlston Rock Sea Lavender.
Two Wall Brown butterflies were fluttering in the sunshine landing occasionally on the dry-stone wall, while in the fields some Meadow Browns and a Small Heath were both basking in the sun. The sound of Grasshoppers was just beginning as I returned to the centre where I had to step over 2 Greater Bloody-nosed Beetles which were walking up the footpath.
The hooting of a Tawny Owl from the woods reminded that 2 were hooting last night, as Pipistrelle Bats flitted up the rides and a Badger could be heard snuffling amongst the leaves.