What a fantastic morning to be walking around Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, bright sunshine and a blustery wind – a perfect November!
As I walked down the lighthouse road, the sunlight was catching the ginger coats of the Hereford Cattle, for once making the count fairly easy as they were showing up against the dull backdrop of dead and dying grasses, Wild Clematis and Brambles and of the leafless wintering Blackthorn scrub.
Suddenly from overhead came a tremendous ripping sound as the air was being torn by approximately 150 Wood Pigeons, their unusual speed caused by the pursuing Peregrine Falcons. The sound quite amazing as they banked to avoid capture, one of them must have had a very close shave as a flurry of feathers floated down.
The Peregrines having been unsuccessful flew away calling loudly, then returned to float above the gully enabling me to admire their markings. The yellow legs showing particularly well in the sunlight, and the paler blue rump of one of them contrasting with its body.
Later more Wood Pigeons counted, with flocks of 130, 150 and 250 passing overhead, the first heading way out across the sea, the last of these swinging back round to come back across the Park. The light shining up to make the dark and pale feathers contrast, looking like a flitting silver and black flock.
Also going overhead were flocks of Goldfinches, the tinkling of their calls catching the ear as they flew, every now and then landing amongst the bare twigs of Hawthorn looking like jewels on the branches.
As the sea met the cliffs, the water was churning and crashing producing white spray and froth. Perched upright on the ledge were Guillemots, well over 100 packed on, through the binoculars the different head marking s could be seen with many still in their non-breeding plumage of mostly white heads.
A smattering of flowers are still in bloom, Ivy the most prevalent attracting insects along the sheltered hedgerows. A few Ox-eye Daisies, the odd bit of Sealheal and Herb Robert also noted.