On the first Sea Bird Boat Trip of the year last night, we were lucky to see four Puffins on the ledge at Dancing Ledge. One perched next to a Guillemot really showing off their size difference and the Puffins brightly coloured beak. Two more zoomed past the boat on multiple occasions giving us a wonderful show. Passing Durlston it was great to see all the Guillemots and Razor Bills up close on the water around the boat and on the cliff ledges. We are running more Bird Boats every Friday evening throughout May and June, visit our website or the Coastal Cruises website to book tickets.
This morning I head out through the meadows, where south field is awash with flowers. Field Buttercups, Pale Flax and Red Clover, all in full bloom throughout the meadow. Yellow Rattle and Horseshoe Vetch also can be seen in flower.
In Saxon the hay rake quar is still awash in Birds-foot Trefoil and Chalk Milk Wort, the yellow and blue of the two plants contrasting against each other. Coming out of the quar I spot Burnet Rose, poking out of the long grass adorned with large white flowers. Salad Burnet is also along the edges of the path the tall flowering stem topped with a pompom like flower. The stems are also covered in Cuckoo Spit housing a Froghopper nymph
Through into Oxeye where its name’s sake, Oxeye Daises are starting to bloom, there large white flower heads tilted towards the sun. Common Sainfoin in also in full bloom the barbie pink flowers poking out of the grass.
Heading back towards the Learning Centre the air is full of the sound of a Skylark singing. Soom spotted high in the sky as it sings it slowly lowers to the ground a bit like a balloon deflating, though soon anther takes its place in the sky.