The fresh easterly breeze continues to whip up waves in Durlston Bay before rattling through the woodland. The rest of the park remains relatively calm, bathing in the glorious spring sunshine that has stayed with us for a number of weeks now.
The joyous chirping of birds can be heard around the Dell with Goldfinch, Blue Tits and Robins all singing loudly from the treetops. On my way down the slope I find myself following a particularly friendly and vocal Wren – its tiny body like a ball of feathers speared by a pointy tale and beak.
Two Blackcaps chase one another into the Buddleia, hopping from branch to branches before disappearing out of sight.
I spy the bright blues and yellows of a Great Tit flash above me. The bird taking a beeline for the Castle with a large amount of nesting materials in its beak. It lands at the outer Swift nestbox – and clambers up inside. With the Blue Tits using a Bat Box in the woodland, it’s safe to say that these little birds aren’t too picky where they will nest!
A colourful array of flowers border the ledge at Caravan Terrace. Dandelions, Daisies and Dog-Violets make for a colourful pretty display, but the abundance of bright Primroses really steal the show.
Lots of Guillemots, Jackdaws, Fulmars, Herring Gulls, and Great Black-backed Gulls patrolling the sea-cliffs this morning, though my eyes were peeled for Dolphins, with three consecutive days of sightings earlier in the week. No such luck today, but a walker did report an uncommon sighting of two birds in flight with long curled beaks – possibly Curlew or Whimbrel.
On my way back to the office, I couldn’t resist a quick jaunt into the meadows to see the abundance of Early Purple Orchids, Early Spider Orchids, and Cowslips which have recently come into bloom. I was also lucky to spot a single buck Roe Deer in Katie’s back garden; his fresh new antlers beginning to poke through.