It is a beautiful sunny morning, no cloud in sight yet no where near as hot and humid as it has been – pleasant is the word I am using! As I walk, I notice many Large White butterflies out, as a Wren sings away, as well as a couple of Wood Pigeons, and a Robin, whilst a Crow and a Magpie call in the distance.
I take the Clifftop Trail, here I realise I’ve forgotten my binoculars! But still notice the abundance of butterflies down on the Dell – like one of those butterfly greenhouses – spotted was mostly Large Whites, but also seen were Peacock butterfly. Past the Dell one also sees Lulworth Skippers, many a Marbled White and Meadow Browns.
Walking further along the Clifftop Trail, a Chiffchaff is heard, and many a Gull species in the distance. On a Hogweed plant, a Soldier Beatles are spotted amongst a couple of Common Flower Flies. Deep in the grass I spot two species of Bush-crickets: The Great Green Bush-cricket and the Rossel’s Buch-cricket. Surrounded was Birds-foot Trefoil, Sow Thistles and long grasses, many Buff-tailed Bumblebee was spotted and a Long-tailed Tit heard amongst the Tamarisk and Holm Oaks.
At the viewpoint I was stunned at the lack of seabirds, No Guillemots or Razorbills on the water – that said, standing there, I did spot a few Guillemots flying towards the cliffs and away. Also noticed was a Cormorant, and a few Feral Pigeons – Nothing though as busy as it has been the last couple of months!
Onward I spot a Wren singing away, a Herring Gull flies past me, and then – low, a Peregrine Falcon comes brushing past me heading east, it was rather close and did not seem at all bothered by my presence. I thought I could hear a Peregrine Falcon on the Viewpoint but was not sure – this proves it probably was. As I look down Tilly Whim, noticing some Large Whites sitting on Thrift down there, I suddenly noticed two heads bobbing along on the water – 2x Grey Seals just chilling there. As I talk to a passerby about the Grey Seals, a Kestrel comes flying past, as I am focused on spotting the Grey Seals.