Blackcaps galore as I undertook the early patrol today, many of these greyish warblers popping up from amongst the leaves and heavily berry laden Hawthorns and Elder trees.
Looking out across the almost mirror like Durlston Bay and towards Bournemouth emerging from the low cloud were the outlines of the four huge Cruise Liners which are anchored offshore while they await the reopening of the world.
The loud calling of a Peregrine Falcon turned my attention to the cliffs where the bird was perched, crying loudly for all to hear. From alongside came the almost pathetic mewing of the young Herring Gulls, the rest of the family bobbing on the water with the Great Black-backed Gulls.
Flitting around the green fronds of the Tamarisk was a flock of ‘chiffwillow’ Warblers, I had to look more closely to tell that most were Willow Warblers with one or two Chiffchaffs amongst them.
Alighting from the rambling Old Man’s Beard was a charm of Goldfinches, the gold wing stripes flashing in the bright sunlight. Skulking lower in the bushes were Common Whitethroats, easy to tell when they turn to face and emerge from the branches, which is more than could be said for the Sedge Warbler which took a while to identify as it wouldn’t allow me to see the ‘obvious’ facial markings.
A few butterflies including a Painted Lady landing on the bare earth alongside the path, wings open as it soaked up the warmth of the sun, Red Admiral, Large White and Small White also in flight, while an Adonis Blue was perched on the Ragwort flower, the beautiful blue contrasting with the bright yellow.
The sound of crashing wings as a Southern Hawker Dragonfly came by, below amongst the long grass some wonderful examples of spider webs to be admired.
Swallows and House Martins flitting through while a couple of Yellow Wagtails were moving more slowly as they undulated up and down.