A very peaceful morning walking about the park today. Cloudy skies above, a refreshing breeze, and a general stillness that was very calming. Swallows hunted low over Long Meadow, skimming low over Agrimony, Knapweed, and Cocksfoot snatching up food to fatten up for their impending journey south. It’s a real pleasure to see them so active but a feeling tinged with sadness that soon they will be gone.
The skies were fairly quiet as I moved through the meadows further west. A small flock of Goldfinches peeped and cheeped past, a happy uplifting mixture of sounds in stark contrast to the heavy rattling caw of passing Carrion Crows. The meadows themselves are still glorious, mixtures of yellow from Yellow Rattle, white of Wild Carrot, and pink/purple from the bobbing heads of Field Scabious all dancing gently in the breeze. Taking my time and soaking up the beauty of the wild flowers I noticed a number of animal tracks around the edges of the fields, what made them I’m not sure but I like to think of the time after dark when there is a whole new side of Durlston that comes to life with rather hairier visitors enjoying the park.
The sea that had been so calm first thing in the morning was now whipping up some white caps. Standing for a moment looking out a Greater Black-backed Gull soared past just below, a magical sight when observing from above. Fulmars wheeled just out from the cliffs, stiff wings keeping them surprisingly smooth and graceful in the air. A few Shags raced by low to the water and settled on rocks just below Tilly Whim to preen their feathers.
Walking back a stunning Bullfinch softly cheeped as it settled into an Ash outside the learning centre. Robins and Dunnocks quietly scratched around on the edges of the scrub looking from wriggly worms to gobble up. Everything seems quieter at the moment but deeper down life scurries, scampers, and hums on.
Remember to look to the skies tonight for the Perseid meteor showers.