A thin mist and a thick cloud cover enshrouded Durlston in white this morning. I brought my camera with me today, hoping for a good sighting or two but the repeated sighting of a ‘1 for sorrow Magpie’ wasn’t a good start (but I promise it gets better). The wind seems to have settled somewhat and there is the occasional hint of hope as the sun tries its best to break through the heavy cloud cover. Both good signs for photography.
As I walked down to the lighthouse, several birds made their way to the top of the taller Blackthorn and Gorse and began to sing. This included Blackbirds & Robins, Song Thrushes & Dunnocks – all of which are excellent songsters.
Now at the lighthouse, looking west along the coast, I spotted two small brown birds hidden amongst the tall grass. Taking a seat on the ground I waited for them to show themselves and they did not disappoint. Both birds simultaneously erupted from the ground, frantically singing and flapping their wings, the unmistakable song of a Skylark.
I continued west along the coast for a short while until the Skylarks song was rudely interrupted by a pair of unhappy Peregrine Falcons. The pair had taken a particular disliking towards 4 Ravens, which were pruning themselves, perched on the cliffs edge. In canon, the Ravens took to the wing, effortlessly twisting away from the Peregrine which continued to circle round, back and forth, along the same stretch of coastline. After a good five minutes of the Ravens seemingly toying with the Falcons, they headed inland (fingers crossed I got a good photo of them!).
Walking back along the coast path towards the castle, the cliffs were teaming with birds, including; Rock Pipits, Fulmars, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Greater Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Shags, Guillemots and Feral Pigeons (which came in a variety of stunning plumages).