The unexpected sound of a Cuckoo started my day, the repetitive cook-coo coming from somewhere close, but the bird itself was not seen. This African bird is likely to be about to leave these shores again to return home after spending a few months here.
Off down to the cliffs for a chance to enjoy watching the seabirds. On the water a small flock a gulls was calling noisily, Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls both present as well as a number of non-adult Herring Gulls. Diving around them a scattering of Sandwich Terns with a few red beaked Common Terns (well probably, I struggle at that distance with the subtle differences of an Arctic Tern).
Perched on Durlston Head was a Peregrine Falcon, the large cream coloured bib being ruffled by the gentle gusts of wind, up on tilly whim a second greyer and smaller Peregrine was also perched – in comparison this would be the male. Perhaps they were waiting for a dual attack on an unsuspecting passing bird.
On the cliff ledges three young speckled grey Herring Gulls chicks blended very well in with the rocky background as did the single Great Black-backed Gull chick on a slightly higher outcrop, a parent standing monitoring their offspring.
From the water the sound of wings being washed, as the Guillemots flap about, swishing water, also as they take off the slapping of wing on water is a constant feature of the cliffs. On the ledge the numbers are starting to dwindle as the chicks are now fledging – jumping off straight into the water, before paddling out to the open sea with their parent – a real leap of faith!
So many flowers to enjoy, so using my binoculars I focussed on one circle only, and spotted the bright pink Pyramidal Orchids, white domed heads of Wild Carrot, brilliant Yellow-wort on pale grey-green stalks and then the pink Centuary. Focussing on the short flora, the pink aromatic Wild Thyme, and the white with purple stripes of the Eyebright, Squinancywort (a delicate pale pink) and Kidney Vetch – now past its best, all added to the view, as did the almost round dangling flower heads of Quaking Grass. Such a lot in a small space.