Saturday’s rain and roaring sea was good for invigorating the soul, Sundays unpredictable heavy showers meant diving for cover became a fun game, today the calm beauty of the Country Park, a bright pink sky and a crisp horizon is restoring and renewing for a Monday morning.
The sounds of Magpies fill the air, a clatter of branches and a wealth of gentle tweeting fill the canopy around the Aviaries. The winterbourne stream has a gentle flow in it, to match the sight of the ripple through the Bamboo. As I walked towards the sea the woodland was drowned out by the crashing of waves down in Durlston Bay. Not many white horses but large waves crashed continuously against the bays beach.
A group of Long-Tailed Tits filled the Sycamore trees, floating between the branches and chirping as they went. A pile of cut logs from last years tree work provided an obstacle course for a couple of Grey Squirrels. Looking West two Roe Deer were seen enjoying the longer grass of a nearby field.
In Saxon field 5 of this years calves were busy munching away at the grass, while for one 4 Jackdaws and 3 Magpies were jumping up at it, collecting ticks or fluff, I’m not sure. Poor little thing would probably like to keep its fur for the winter. The other side of the field a Hereford was having a good scratch rubbing its head against a dry-stone wall. When the 4 of the 3 year olds saw me they followed me all the way across the field, probably expecting to be moved to another field. The excitement as they trotted along behind me drew the attention of a mamma cow, who decided my arm was tasty and gave me a good lick as a morning welcome. She then found a lovely over-hanging patch of Ivy and with her long out-stretch neck pulled down the tasty fresh ivy with her rough strong tong.
Walking around the meadows, Meadow Pipits, were seen and Goldfinches heard between the roar, beep and rumble of the nearby quarry. Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Linnet were all present as I made my way back to the centre. As I returned I spotted a bird I hadn’t seen before, grey/black plumage with a red tail, pointed beak and black legs my suspicion was a Black Redstart which was then later confirmed as Katie walked in saying ‘There’s a Black Redstart outside.’ It appeared again out the window and we all watched as a territorial Robin began to chase it away.