Yesterday afternoon, whilst placing live capture mammal traps out to “acclimatise” in the wildlife garden (see event Mammal Safari 31/8/23) I peered into the pond. Fresh Water Leeches Glossiphonia complanata, move via flexing their brown and green spotted bodies, inn the wildlife pond. These near 3 centimetres long amphibians can, suck not only blood but the body fluids of prey such as Ramshorn Snails that were seen.
Grasshopper Warbler recordings indicated that Bird Ringers were on site. A White Dogwood, held both flowers and fruits whilst on the coast path Hemp Agrimony flowers stood above my head. At Castle approach the Buddleia’s tall growth was such that the stems bowed downwards. Nearby, several colours of Valerian bloomed. Durlston Bay was most still, whilst both Blue Tits and Great Tits were active towards the head. Bittersweet flower at the head itself whilst a Peregrine Falcon was heard where Tamarisk was doing well providing a screen! Below the Globe where the Tamarisk has most recently been cut back, Sea Aster flowers protruded through the foliage. More flowered at the foot of the coast dry stone wall from which Rock Samphire grew out. Before the observation point, I looked back westward and saw a Peregrine Falcon at Durlston Head looking west. Offshore, then later close to the sea was a Fulmar in flight. Fox Musk was apparent before the observation point as dry Woodsage flowers were beside the coastal wall. Acorns were upon the evergreen Holm Oak whilst evergreen Ivy held clenched flower buds.
I reported to the Coast Guard the fact that there was an angler on a ledge well below Tilly Whim. Golden Samphire still flowered upon the wave cut platform itself. A Wheatear appeared below the measured mile markers where fluffy seed whisp remained upon Kidney Vetch. Also, near the markers I found three stems of Autumn Ladies Tresses beside the desire line. Ox Eye Daisies and Quaking Oat Grass were seen. The occasional Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown were on the wing. A trio of Swallows flew over south field whilst the moth trap revealed a Portland Ribbon Wave; Silver Y; Turnip Moth and a Tawny Speckled Pug.