I understood, because of the wind, why even yesterday the decision was made to cancel tonight’s Seabird boat. Today, before my Durlston arrival, I was treated to getting within a metre of a Yellow Hammer. With the wind, it was a mostly plants morning.
Upon our coastal ridge there was Milkwort, Horseshoe Vetch, Bulbous Buttercup, Red Clover, Hawthorn blossom and the leaves of Agrimony. Seven Garden Snails were up a few metres stretch of grassy footpath. Below the ridge (and electric fence) one of our three herds of Hereford cattle appeared content below. Amongst the alpine plants at the path edges, upon thin soils, were Eye Bright, Kidney Vetch (showing some fluff) along with Wild Thyme. After several hops, and a short scamper, a Magpie took to the wing.
The wind rustled to dense Tor Grass cover and the east end of the ridge displayed the conjoined leaves of Yellow Wort. Upon Lighthouse Green I found an Early Spider Orchid stem with flowers much declined. About the Lighthouse were Wild Gladioli, plenty of Thrift and patches of Sea Campion in flower. In the gully a male Stonechat call and the wind passes through the measured mile posts were heard. “Upstream” a Roe Deer Buck had good cover beside a Gorse clump. The rose and fell liking the rocky shoreline. Despite some sixty Guillemot being rafted upon the sea, the cave was still pack as a near a score of the birds clung to the awkward boulder. A Greater Black Backed Gull emerged from below the cave, where it may eventually capture a fallen fledgling. The briefest of visits was made by a House Martin to the cliff edge. Whilst ascending the diagonal path a Peregrine Falcon passed overhead heading east. The only insects I encounter was a few Flies in the dapple shade of Castle Wood. Hamish reported Adonis Blue and Dingy Skipper as well as a Spotted Fly Catcher!