My first ‘Early Rounds’ after a absence of 10 weeks, really pleased at the enormous amount of habitat work has been done in that time.  Lydia the two apprentices, Annabel and Stuart, plus the Volunteer Work Parties have really pulled out the stops.  

The Hereford Cattle having also made a major contribution by tightly grazing some of our key Downland fields including the invasive Tor Grass. As a consequence we’ll look forward to some good displays of spring and summer flowers.

Some birdsong now getting going Great and Blue Tit  going strong with Chaffinch, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Song Thrush more hesitant.

Out beyond the Western Boundary a little trailer from a Skylark, a couple of Ravens overhead with a few Meadow Pipits around as well. 

Soft ‘moope’ calls giving away Bullfinch a much more attractive sound than the boring contact calls coming from the majority of the Dunnocks.      

Down to the cliff, where the Guillemots were up on the ledges and lined up on the water, a ‘billing‘ pair of Razorbill amongst them.

A few Fulmars cruising a round the cliff face but no sign of the Glaucous Gull that was seen here yesterday.

2 Red Throated Diver and a single Scoter seen offshore.

Hamish reported a Barn Owl from last night, the first seen here for a few years.

Otherwise he was not at all happy having seen no less than 13 Ravens on his way to work – note the date, We suggested he went back to bed and stayed there for the rest of the day !            

Today's diary written by Robin Plowman

Daily Weather Records
Max Temperature (c)	7.6
Min Temperature (c)	0.2
Wind Direction & Speed (mph) Max gust (mph)	NE 8 26
Pressure (mbars)	1016
Rainfall (mm)	-

A blustery early patrol, with the strong south west wind blowing the clouds across the sky at great speed.

Down to the coast where the waves were crashing against the cliffs, the Guillemots on their ledge being sprayed by the salty water.

A reasonable passage of seabirds travelling past Durlston, including Gannets, a stream of 22 Manx Shearwaters and a single Balearic Shearwater.

1 Pomarine Skua and an Arctic Skua also spotted as were three species of Tern – Common, Sandwich and 3 Arctic.

A good view of a Peregrine Falcon skimming along the rock face and of a Kestrel hovering above the rough Tor Grass – both of these birds of prey out looking for some breakfast.

Coming inland away from the Kidney Vetch and Thrift strewn clifftops the sound of Common Whitethroats caught the ear, often these predominantly brown birds are perched on the tops of Blackthorn scrub making them relatively easy to spot.

The flowers in the fields now changing with Pale Flax and Bulbous Buttercups the dominating species, with the odd purple splash of Common Vetch plus patches of Spotted Medick.  The Cowslips are going over in many places as are the early Orchids.

Flying overhead a single Turtle Dove – probably the most attractive of all the doves and pigeons with its beautiful chestnut feathers.

A quick trip to the sheltered woodland was rewarded by the sound of singing Warblers – a Garden Warbler and a Wood Warbler in full voice alongside Chiffchaff and Blackcaps.

The smell of garlic wafting through the woods from the Ramsons, the Three-corned Leeks, and from the Jack-by-the Hedge, while there is still a small scattering of Bluebells and Red Campion, with Cow Parsley in its full glory.

Today's diary written by Katie Black

Daily Weather Records
Max Temperature (c)	-
Min Temperature (c)	-
Wind Direction & Speed (mph) Max gust (mph)	- - -
Pressure (mbars)	-
Rainfall (mm)	-