A beautiful start to the day with a slight Easterly wind. A Green Woodpecker was my first encounter this morning, as we headed through the car parks Goldfinches were sat on the Ash tree and a small group of Linnets flew into the nearby Hawthorn. We were drawn by the roar of the sea rising up over the cliffs and filling the air, making us head for Durlston Head.
Along the Coast Path a Blackbird flew across the path its beak full of tasty grubs. Above the Herring Gulls were floating high on the wind, whirling around and joined by the Jackdaws. Goldfinches were using the coast path as a corridor flying low between the Tamarisk and Holm Oaks. Rock Pipits made a strong presence this morning as well as Meadow Pipit as we walked across South Field.
Selfheal made a lovely splash of purple and Hawkbit a splash of Yellow on the coast path edges. Walking along the coast path gave us a fantastic view of the Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls as they flew at eye level parallel to the path. On the cliff edge 50+ Guillemots were tightly packed on the ledge almost camouflaged as their backs were turned to the Westerly wind.
Raking and burning in field 3 yesterday we had a noticeable sighting of a Dartford Warbler, perched and calling proudly from some fresh Gorse regrowth, before disappearing into the undergrowth. Dartford Warblers are typically associated with lowland heathlands, so this glimpse was truly unexpected! These birds are particularly vulnerable to harsh, cold winters so much so that in the 1960s the UK population was reduced to only a few pairs. Since then they’ve bounced back, and at this time of year they’ll hunker down in dense Gorse patches (acting as protection against the elements) feeding on Spiders and other invertebrates. We also got a distant glimpse of a Buzzard soaring effortlessly above the Western meadows.