To the cliffs this morning, where the sight of a Raven standing on the wall of the Observation Point greeted me, this bird dwarfing the Jackdaws who were also using the cappers as vantage points.
Ten years ago the sight and sound of a Raven at Durlston was a cause for comment, but they are now a common sight. The feathered legs, thick collar and chunky beak, all visible as it perched, hopefully it will be breeding again away from the cliffs, and in the woodlands this year.
On the water Guillemots and Razorbills were lining up and then floating together into a clump of 60 or so birds, the darker black bodies of the Razorbills showing compared with the brown of the Guillemots. The chugging of a fishing boat caused this floating group to be scattered, in a blurr of black and white wings and bodies, circling around as it passed.
The main breeding ledge was packed with birds, hopefully a sign of a good season to come. The camera is being prepared for action this week which will provide eyes on the Guillemots, allowing the watching of their antics, from pairing, to egg laying, hatching and fledging of the chicks. With luck another successful year ahead!
A superb display from the Fulmars, as three of them glided in and out, round and about, stalling as they reached the rock face before heading out again – watching these birds can easily ‘waste’ time!
Arriving on a ledge was a Shag, carrying in it’s a long twig to be used to weave into its large messy nest. Heading westward was a Cormorant, the white splodge under its wing obvious as it flew.
As I wandered up the slope the sound of Great Tits calling ‘teacher-teacher’ dominated, until three Pied Wagtails called as they flew over.
A Jay squawked, then flew ahead showing off the large white rump as well as its flashes of blue.
On the Tamarisk some Goldfinches were perched, yellow, red and white feathers to be seen, while a Black Redstart flitted on the ground