A flash of colour caught my eye as I walked up to the Country Park, once settled on a nearby roof I had a lovely view of 6 colourful, gleaming Starlings.
I was joined on my walk today by Gwyneth, who has been one of our residential volunteer rangers for the last 7 months, and today marks her last day here. What a final week she has had, with an abundance of wildlife and happy visitors and volunteers; Orchids, Yellow Hammers, Whitethroats, Linnets, Wheatears and not forgetting the incredible photo she got of the Dolphins leaping out of the water.
The woods today were relatively quiet with Carrion Crows calling from the tops of the trees, leaves rustling in the easterly breeze and the sound of waves rushing against Durlston Bay. The ground flora is now a lovely mix a purple, pink, yellow and green shades with new growth appearing every day, my favourite spot this morning was the lovely pink of Herb Robert.
The sound of a Great Tit was most prevalent over the leaves, Corvids and ocean. Looking up into a Holm Oak a Garden Snail looked happily resting on the ridge of a canker and further up a Wood Pigeon had its head buried in its wings. Blue tits were darting around between the trees some carrying nesting material. As we approached the newly revealed Castle Turret a strong sweet smell had us investigating, trying to find where it was coming from, but to no avail.
On the cliffs pink Thrift is starting to flower to join the white Scurvy Grass and Sea Campion is also starting to flower. About one hundred Auks were brightly shining on the water, the Great Black-back Gulls were on a nest and a couple of Fulmars were flying around, along with Herring Gulls. Further out to sea Gannets flew West and a group of 11 adult and juvenile Great Black-backed Gulls flew east over the cliffs.
Rock Pipits hopped around the short grass and as we walked up past the mile markers, we had some lovely sights of male and female Linnets, Stonechat, Robin, Dunnock and Whitethroat.