As I walk across to the cliff tops I realise how lucky I am to have this on my doorstep, particularly now, so we will continue to give a flavour of the beginnings of spring at Durlston on Mother’s Day.
The sun was shining weakly through a layer of white cloud in amongst which patches and strips of blue sky could be seen. The easterly breeze especially chilly down by the coast causing ruffled feathers on both the Feral Pigeons and Jackdaws which were perched on the rocks. In the distance a couple of glorious white Gannets glided low over the water.
Standing on the edge was as Carrion Crow, a thin silver twig held in its toes, this ‘twig’ was in fact a small Slowworm, which was about to become breakfast!
Once again no Guillemots to be seen, but on the inland side the strong smell of coconut was wafting from the bright yellow flowers of the Gorse, where the twittering of a what sounded like a few Linnets could be heard.
The call of a Chiffchaff and the sight of a Blackcap in amongst the strange clumps of deep red-black burst buds of the Ash, added to singing Robin, Dunnock and Great Tit in the same area.
A few insects making the most of the early sunshine with a Dark edged Bee-fly hovering above a green Ivy leaf before landing allowing me a great view of it pointed nose-like feature and furry body. Nearby a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee flew and slowly lopping across the leaves of the Cleavers was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle.
Noises overhead, and a small flock of Meadow Pipits passed, as did during the walk some Siskins and Grey Wagtails.
On the downland a Wheatear was standing upright, its dark mask contrasting with the sandy front, as it took off the unmistakable white rump showed.
Bounding along one of our fallen dry-stone walls was a Weasel, just like a thin golden brown sausage with a short tail! In the scrub nearby 2 Roe Deer stood and watched me before turning away.