Another dramatic change in the weather with thick fog and drizzle welcoming me and the regular Saturday park run setter-uppers.
From around me the sound of birds calling – Chiffchaff, Linnets, Dunnock, Blackbird and Common Whitethroat all making themselves known. Looking for the m was thwarted by the fog and the water on my binoculars!
Changing tack to look more at the flowers, a wonderful variety spotted including the large white umbrella shaped Wild Carrots, with delicate fonds beneath. Splashes of bright pink from the Pyramidal Orchids contrast with the white of the Ox-eye Daisies and yellow of the tall spikes of Agrimony.
Sprawling low across the ground mats of Wild Thyme, and of Restharrow, while Eyebright and Stars in the Grass flowers are scattered more thinly.
Down to the cliffs (I was hopeful of getting under the cloud) where I could just make out a few Guillemots on the water, as well as four Razorbills. Flying towards the rock crevice a Shag, its large webbed feet steering as it veered away before landing on the ledge nearby.
Back in the office great views of Guillemots through the camera, where it looks like the young chicks might just have started to fledge – a few gaps have appeared.
Having been cancelled for the last couple of weeks, last nights guided boat trip was most successful with a Seal seen off Old Harry Rocks, Kittiwakes at Blacker’s Hole and 6 Puffins (both on the cliffs and the water), all under a gorgeous sunny summer evening.
The deep lilac flowers of Durlston Rock Sea Lavender are now just beginning to show right on the cliff edge, amongst the dark green leaves of Golden Samphire and the few remaining pink flowers of Thrift.
While admiring the bizarrely shaped pink and yellow flowers of Honeysuckle, the clingy leaves of Wild Madder now topped with the small pale creamy flower were also spotted.
The wonderful song of a Yellowhammer filtered down the gully, no chance of spotting one of my favourite birds though. I was however just able to make out in the gloom and damp a Cirl Bunting perched on the top of an Elder bush – it took a lot of checking and drying of my binoculars to make sure the characteristic features were actually present.