A marvellous morning with sun and patches of blue sky. Scentless Mayweed formed mats on the waterless base of the dew pond. Yesterday, our small team (only 4) of volunteers removed kerbside vegetation. However, we left alone a tall Greater Mullein and noted another in flower near the coach stop.
During this morning walk in I set up a flock of some fifty Herring Gulls (& possibly Common Gulls) from a Spyway meadow. I survived the surprise emergence of a Pheasant beside the upper coast path. At Durlston I saw a pair, both buck and doe of Roe Deer on the coastal slopes. Many vapour trails were in parallel indicating southward flight. Yellow pot fishing vessel PE1087 head west whilst a Tugboat, going in the opposite direction had a pair of Greater Black Backed Gulls above it at some height. A score of Woodpigeon ascended from a meadow and a thirty strong Goldfinch charm passed by.
Six Carrion Crows were gathered on the downland of the coast ridge. One joined another on a drystone wall. Another such bird would set up more Goldfinches as it took the dead branches of an Elder for its own perch. Swallows passed by be before I descended to the Lighthouse. On the short turf of the slope a Wheatear moved to observe be, with bobbing head and tail, from a dry cow pat. From the big Sycamore beside the horseshoe bridge a Magpie silently departed. Within the Lighthouse verge Rest Harrow still flowered as did three Sea Campion and scares number of Golden Samphire and Thrift beside the coast path. A Stonechat perched upon scrub that was smothered by Old Man’s Beard. Two Rock Pipits were about the gully mouth. I saw a Shag leave near the gully mouth and luckily spotted the head of Seal amongst the froth off Tilly Whim (TW) ledge. One Swallow flew westward along the coast path about a metre off the ground, before it flew over the sea. A Peregrine Falcon moved from its above sea cave perch the cliff above the wavecut TW platform. When it landed it dislodged of few of its own white, downy breast feathers. Before reading the weather, I disturbed a Wren which flew into cover and trilled from therein. Visiting Ivy flowers at the centre were Bumblebees, Hoverflies, and at least one Wasp. A trio of Field Scabious flowers and those upon a Buddleia added some colour.