Early morning at Durlston and I was greeted by the sight of a Pied Flycatcher flitting amongst the berry laden Hawthorn bushes. The wing bar flashes making it easy to see as it perched on a branch, the antics where it flutters up, hovers and then lands again on the same twig fascinating to watch.
Off towards the lighthouse green area where a Wryneck was reported from yesterday, as usual I didn’t see it, but lots more to enjoy and discover instead. (later report of the Wryneck in the same area)
Growing from the short turf are many Autumn Ladies Tresses, the grey green stem entwined by the delicate white flowers, once one is spotted the others appear as if by magic!
Also hugging the ground were the purple heads of the Picnic Thistle – so called because of the need to be aware of its prickles when having a picnic – it is also known as the Dwarf or the Stemless Thistle.
The golden flower of the Carline Thistle showing amongst the dried grasses and remains of Yellowwort. Taller still is the sturdy Yarrow, Black Knapweed and the Small Scabious.
Flitting in the Blackthorn bushes were Common Whitethroat, the bright tan back and white throat making identifying these warblers easy compared with the skulking antics of Blackcap, Robin, Dunnock and Chiffchaff.
Taking flight from the ground a white rump caught my attention, soon followed by another and another, 8 of these wonderful Wheatears seen in the end, and I was able to admire them as they perched on the cappers of the dry-stone wall and on the posts of the stock fencing.
In the same area a family of Stonechats, the variation in markings striking with fronts varying their orange and the speckled back of the young very different to the sleek black of the male. In contrast however was the Whinchat spotted on the Gorse, the stripe above its eye very different.
The Meadow Browns still abundant in the fields, some of which have now been cut and baled, the dazzling blue of an Adonis Blue basked on the downs and the more lilac of a Common Blue added to the mornings interest.
Overhead Swallows sweeping along the coast and both Meadow Pipits and a Grey Wagtail.