Low cloud was scoping over the top of Ballard Down and as I reached Durlston the cliff top was encased in a mild warm mist. Looking across to the sea the morning sun was glistening off the sea, shining through the trees. I was entranced by the reflection of the tree canopy in a puddle, watching it as small raindrops created ripples in the clear still water.
The morning bird song was a delight of Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Robin and above the loud sound of a Herring Gull. Identifying birds by sound does not come easily to me but by learning the pattern and tone makes it a little easier. The Wren has a hard scraping or churring call, a dry ‘check’ and a fast rattle. The Dunnock a loud thin ‘seee’ and the song a short, fast, slightly flat tone. A Goldcrest’s song is high, thin with a flourish, ‘tidl-diee tidl-diee tidl-diee sisitueet’
The Jackdaws were marvellous this morning, bouncing around the clifftops, flying along the contours, and perching in the Tamarisk. Looking along the cliffs two little grey/black heads were peering out, and further along where the Peregrine usually perches 10 Jackdaws sat surveying the landscape.
2 Great Black-backed Gulls sat together high on a little ledge and as I watched a Rock Pipit was pecking around in the grass. A pair of Shags flew to the east as I watched the 10 Razorbills and 15 Guillemots bobbing on the water.
20 Brent Geese flew east in a V shape as I left the serenity of the clifftop and headed back to the woods. The sound of a Song Thrush rang out, a short sharp repetitive song. Back in the woods I had a beautiful sight of Dunnock and Chaffinch, later seeing Great and Blue-tits Robin and Blackbird.