I arrived to the screech of a Jay and Martins flying overhead. The later skimmed scrub a tree cover seeking flying insects. I walk the now solid and still crack exposed clay path. With relief I found Common Toadflax flowering beside the roadside disturbance associated with new Lighthouse cables. A pair of Carrion Crows explored Lighthouse Field whilst another observed from a naked Ash within Small Copse. Flying and cheeping as they went were a Meadow Pipit duo. I heard an unseen Stonechat and observed the white heat of the sun as it punched through cloud.
I descended the Gully slopes so to meander up the ravine. Gorse needles scratched my lower legs. The spiny plant held a small cloud of yellow flowers whilst Wild Madder, Woodsage, Old Mans Beard and Privet (holding dark fruits) punctuated the spikey mass. Seawards a Shag flew out heading west. I took to the narrow rock exposure path where upon and old but well-placed scent marking Fox poo was found. A Solitary Bee explored the bare soil between the exposed Limestone. Two yellow butterflies had to be Clouded Yellows. More of these seen near the measured mile markers.
Back in the gully a breeze tickled the seed key laden Sycamores. I went to examine one of our few Durlston English Oaks, this one “downstream” of Horseshoe Bridge. Surprisingly in held neither acorns nor Cherry Galls, the later often seen on said specimen. Upslope a Wren perched upon a Bramble “tentacle” which extended out of a Blackthorn clump. I observed one, then five and eventually ten Swallows as they paused together on the overhead powerlines.
A roadside Apple tree held only a pair of fruit, shrivelled. The bridge Pear had no signs of the fruits that it had held. Near the Lighthouse both Sea Campion and occasional Thrift flowers were still blooming. Sea Aster and Golden Samphire showed flowers beside coast path steps. A Peregrine Falcon flew past before perching upon the sea cliffs. A Devils Coach Horse beetle arch its body raise both head and tail into a defensive pose.