It was a lumpy voyage on the Sea Bird Boat Trip last night, though a worthwhile trip - with Gannets flying overhead, two Puffins sighted at Dancing Ledge, and a couple Roe Deer bounding over the downs. Alongside the usual seabirds, we also had a few Sandwich Terns in Swanage Bay and some Kittiwakes sighted in Blacker’s Hole.
Today the wind has calmed and you can hear the Guillemots trill over the gentle breeze and slopping of water against the rocks. The patter of wings slapping against the water can also be heard, as a large group of the birds unanimously decide to take flight.
My walk takes me from the Observation Point and towards Durlston Head. The seacliffs here are topped with a pretty display of flowers; Wild Carrot, pink Sea Thrift and bulbous Sea Campion. Towards the head, the view becomes obscured by the swaying fronds of Tamarisk.
As I turn north towards the bay, the flora changes altogether. The mossy stone walls thrive with Goosegrass, Honeysuckle, and Herb Robert. Red Valerian branches out from the coping stones; it’s leaves tarnished by the slippery trails of White-lipped Snails. The Hawthorn mayflower has blossomed: On one tree it’s flowers are tinged pink, rather than the usual white.
Volunteer bird ringers had their nets up by the Learning Centre, so I dropped in at what turned out to be just the right moment. A beautiful Jay had just had a ring fitted to its leg. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the sky-blue covert feathers barred in black, however they also have this fantastic crest mottled black and white before turning a pale-pink over the head and back. Most impressive of all are their talons which had drew blood from one of the volunteers.
That morning the ringers had also caught one Spotted Flycatcher and we saw a few Swifts passing overhead.