Another foggy morning, in fact worse fog this morning than yesterday – “So much for this Heatwave!” I thought. Although it looks like it will turn warmer, just nowhere near as hot as other parts of Southern England.
Yesterday I was on the Boat Trip, unfortunately there was a swell in the water and the wind conditions were not overly brilliant, so we were not able to continue all the way to Dancing Ledge to see any Puffins, but we did see up to Durlston and around Old Harry Rocks. Birds spotted last night was Cormorants, Shags, Peregrine Falcon, Herring Gulls, Black-backed Gulls, Swifts, and of cause the Guillemots and Razorbills. Although a slight disappointment for all, it was great to see more of Old Harry Rocks. Also spotted last night by Senior Ranger Katie was a Badger and Glow Worms around the Learning Centre as she walked back from Swanage.
I head to the clifftop trail, from the castle I head left, noticing the Dell is full of invasive Greater Horsetail, a couple of Robins are seen chirping away, a Wren is heard coming from the Pleasure Ground Woodlands, and a clump of light pink flowers from the Red Valerian are spotted whilst a Goldfinch flies above me. Walking onwards viewing a rather foggy Durlston Bay I notice some Hogweed to the right of me and Bird-foot Trefoil to the left. Birds-foot Trefoil is a generalist plant that can be spotted in many habitats, from Wildflower meadows to open clifftop paths, to our gardens. Below on my feet I notice a beautiful curly shell from a White-lipped Snail stick on Dock surrounded by Tamarisk dominating the top of Durlston Head.
Walking further along the clifftop trail with the sound of Bush-crickets and Grasshopper species, 2x Herring Gulls are seen, as well as 2x Shags, 3x Ravens, a Black-backed Gull, and many Guillemots and Razorbill. Looking at the ground I also noticed what I believe is a White Ermine Moth Caterpillar and later up on the Diagonal Path a much larger caterpillar was spotted – from the Drinker Moth.