I was glad I had taken my patrol between 07:00-08:00 as this meant I escaped the rain and there was a wildlife report. Forty-five minutes at the Shed waiting for a no show electrician!
A waning crescent moon was high in the sky whilst the sun hid behind cloud. At times it either illuminated cloud gap fringes or briefly beamed through. There were shallow scrapes in the turf towards the castle, due to either Badger or Squirrel. Whilst the sea simply rippled across Durlston Bay, there was quite some swell after passing Durlston Head. A four-inch-long Large Red Slug traversed the coast path. A Line of froth was off the sea cliffs as Tamarisk was wind shaken. Amongst this trimmed and regrown shrub was remnant Sea Aster flowers. Heading east, away from the cliff was one Shag. I believed, due to them numbering near fifty, it was Wood Pigeon that arose from the cliffs to disappear over the planted woodland. Later twelve Feral Doves also emerged whilst a Wheatear was again seen near the bedrock steps.
At the gully mouth temporary saline waterfalls formed between crashing waves and spray booms. One Gannet was seen to head west past the gully mouth. A bounty of Garden Snails was amongst the succulents on the cliff tops. At the southwest corner of the Lighthouse and about the perimeter wall were a few Sea Campion blooms beside Thrift tussocks and Stonecrop. Yes, Harebell flowers were still near the overhead wires.
Half a dozen Jackdaws hid amongst Sycamore leaves beside Horseshoe bridge. It took patience to see the other small birds active here and the reward was a male Bullfinch. Ravens were heard before being seen over the gully slopes. The birds passed over me as I walk through the road cutting. Roadside flowers include a few Ox Eye Daisies and Common Toadflax. Above the quarr both Eyebright and Field Scabious were welcomed.
Hirundine were active back near the Centre. Craneflies clung to the walls inside the public lavatories. Ahead of me, amongst the hedgerow beside Long Meadow path, was a group of small Warblers. Unseen, the Hereford Cattle should be in Ox Eye and Holcombe Meadows.