What a lot of rain we had, a total of 16.1mm was recorded at Durlston last night, which doesn’t seem like a lot, I’m sure I had more on my clothes than that. Today is set to be a lovely sunny day with heavy rain forecast again tonight.
My walk started quietly with the gentle sound of Chiffchaff calling from the Blackthorn trees. As I meandered through the scrub patches of Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Bramble and Clematis, Blackcaps were in abundance, perched and moving around from branch to branch. In South field Swallows swooped and turned fast with swift sharp movements.
The clouds were wispy being gently blown across the clear blue sky, Meadow Pipits, Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws were rummaging around enjoying the freshly emerged bugs from last nights rain. The Yellow flowers of the Gorse bush were looking lovely in the mornings sun and in the distance bright red spheres of Hawthorn Berries, Rosehips and Cottoneaster also shine bright in the morning sunshine.
The bird ringers had a busy morning, ringing mainly Chiffchaff and Blackcap but also 3 Goldcrests. Also seen this morning were; Blue-tits, Sparrows, Long-tailed tits and Wheatear.
In the distance the worrying sound of an unhappy herd of cows made me go and investigate the commotion. Only to find a gate that had been lifted off its hinges and no cattle in sight. Following the noise, I found the herd two fields away roaming around munching on fresh grass, young calves and mothers were distressed calling but unable to locate each other. Following my voice, I eventually managed to get most of them back together in one field, 1 however had other ideas. Our cattle are an essential part of our management of the Country Park and National Nature Reserve, they help keep the grass low to enable an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife to thrive, all part of our SSSI designation. As per the Countryside Code, please leave gates as you find them, and if you notice anything out of the ordinary please contact the Rangers.