A gorgeous morning to be out on the Country Park at Durlston, the mist was low above the ground forming a white fluffy carpet.
A quick check that the Hereford Cattle were still in the right field – they were all in Smithfield munching on the grasses and stripping the leaves off the Ivy.
Overhead a flock of Meadow Pipits was passing, their calls giving them away as were the zzz of the Yellow Wagtails, these birds have a quite distinctive up and downy flight.
While standing, just enjoying the morning a Blackthorn and Bramble patch suddenly seemed alive with small birds. The pink and white Chaffinch popped its head out then perched on the uppermost twig, another 3 joined him nearby.
As I watched 3 Chiffchaffs emerged from the depths, hopping form branch to branch in search of tasty insect morsels and a Wren moved to be in full view, its yellow line above the eye and short erect tail very easy to see.
Flitting amongst the rambling Old Man’s Beard were Blackcaps, both brown and black capped individual spotted.
My highlight however was watching 4 Spotted Flycatchers nipping out from the Ash tree, twisting in mid-air and catching an unsuspecting insect in flight, quite fantastic. These birds are fascinating to see as they are so quick between perching, catching and reperching.
As I returned towards the centre the number of Swallows and House Martins increased, with hundreds flying low over the wildlife pond and sitting on the posts and nets.
Two Speckled Wood butterflies were circling round each other one then landed on the shiny leaves of the Black Bryony the other leaving the area, while Red Admirals were also in flight.
A tinkle of Goldfinches landing on the Gorse drew my attention to a Roe Deer buck which was standing very close.
On many of the sun-drenched Ivy leaves the Drone Fly Eristalis Tenax was to be seen.