A wet and wild welcome to Durlston National Nature Reserve this morning, the wind whistling through the hedgerows and visibility very low. Hiding amongst the Brambles and low scrub patches the delightful sound of Great-tit’s and Robins chimed through. As I splished sploshed my way through the puddles, spending a lot of time looking down at the floor, a flight of flurry in front as a Sparrow Hawk flew around the nearby dense scrub.
My most seen bird today was the Blackbird, one of the most common UK garden birds. The male that I first spotted living up to its name being almost camouflaged against a dark wall and only its bright orange beak clearly on show. A total count of 11 both male and female seen this morning. The females are brown with spots and streaks on their breasts, a common adaptation of female birds to camouflage themselves when sitting on a nest. The Blackbirds food consists of a variety of insects and worms, as well as berries and fruits. A beautiful striking bird with a mellow song and a harsh call.
Looking over Taskers meadow a Raven was perched high up on an Elm tree and as I scanned around two Roe Deer were munching and sheltering in the large copse. I followed some Badger tracks which lead me on a little exploration around the woods.
Over the far side of the park eight Magpies were seen, as the well known magpie rhyme goes; one for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret, never to be told, eight for a wish, nine for a kiss, ten for a bird you must not miss. A wish it is!!
As I walked over the downs towards the sea I was hit in the face by a 30mph southern salty wind. Herring Gulls flew up high and a Wren tried to fly but was pushed around by the strong wind, moving its tiny body all over the place.