Around the car park I spied one Grey Squirrel and counted at least five active and vociferous Robins.
Beside Long Meadow confused Bees and Hoverflies were visiting a Blackberry bush in the sunlight which had fruits but no flowers! These fruits were amongst many I saw including the ripening Sloes on Blackthorn. Red fruits were represented by: the dangling grape-like fruits of the Bryony climbing Hawthorn; Red / Brown Haws of Hawthorn; Bittersweet; Lords & Ladies (Arum); Madder (one of the climbing cleaver family). A Wild Service Tree (bush really) showed red and black / dark purple fruits on the same stem!
By visiting caravan terrace with it large toilet brush size flowers on Buddleia, I managed to see some butterflies included: a male then a female Holly Blue; a Speckled Wood; three Red Admirals and a Gatekeeper. I also enjoyed the scent of these flowers as well as that of the crushed leaves of Wild Thyme.
In Durlston Bay, which was calm, I saw a single Herring Gull on the rocky shore. In the distance I saw two pure white elegant birds which will be called unidentified Terns today. Rounding Durlston Head growing up through the Tamarisk (which was trimmed 2 weeks ago to maintain sea views) was poking through the stem and mauve flowers of Sea Aster. Near the globe I picked up the strong, musty scent of a Fox (no doubt faeces scent marking territory near by).
Out to sea I saw 3 Shags on the wing two headed East one west. Looking down the cliff face I noted a dark bundle on the lower ledge. Movement revealed a long necked white throated bird on the ledge, Shag, this one preening. I caught a brief glimpse of two Swallows over head and there was more small bird activity in the skies. No doubt the beginning of a gathering for autumn migrants as Durlston provides a bounty of seeds, berries and insects for our travellers to feed upon