Setting out on this mornings patrol I find it is already warm and close, with barely a breeze. It is bright but still hazy, although this will soon burn off. I had come in hopeful of finding some interesting moths in the trap but irritatingly a power cut during the night had meant any that may have been attracted had gone AWOL again before I could record and photograph them! Although I can still report an unidentified Micro Moth and a Silver Y, a migrant visitor from the continent.
Along the coastpath past the globe was also a dainty little Small Blue, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown. These were joined on morning nectar foraging adventures by three species of Bumblebee, buzzing from one flower to another. Above our heads a Buzzard was circling, possibly on the lookout for a morning snack.
Out over the tranquil waters of the Channel I spotted a Shag, Herring and Greater Black-backed Gulls, Fulmar and heard an Oystercatcher cheep-cheeping past.
Ambling along I met a visitor who was hoping to get some shots of the Peregrines, although they are nowhere to be seen. As we were talking however I heard the distinctive and welcome sound of the superb Peregrine Falcon, as a pair of them appeared from inland and then wheeled around overhead, before moving away Westwards down the cliffs.
As they passed I was also treated to a splendid close up view of one (I think a female owing to its larger size) in classic swept-wing position, which surely has to be one of the most impressive sights in the natural world.
As I made my way up the gully, several Small and Lulworth Skippers were to be seen, and Wall Browns were reported just outside the base. I spent a few minutes investigating a large Woolly Thistle, to find a bonanza of small invertebrate critters and several arachnids. All around me the flowers were looking sublime in the morning sunshine, as in the flower meadows although these are due to be cut soon.
Today's diary written by Mike