Well, undoubtedly the hundreds of House Martins and Swallows were the most obvious and numerous birds of the morning and will continue to be so for some days. At one point a group of forty flew together then eventually sixty rested on the overhead wires crossing the gully which increased to nearly one hundred. As the sun rose and insect activity increased so did that of these migrants. Whilst sat within the gully (1/2 way down / up) these acrobats passed me above, below and at eye level!
I was surprised to see I believed was a Fulmar to fly into the Gully and passed through the airborne feeding birds. Another insect eater, I believe was that of a Spotted Fly Catcher towards lighthouse green. From the bare tips of an Ash tree within the gully I caught a clear view of a Blackcap, whereas Whitethroats and distant unidentified Warblers ventured amongst the trees and scrub. One only heard the presence of a Stonechat and Green Woodpecker (three). One of the later sounded to be drumming from within the gully; however, my scanning the obvious bare telegraph poles brought no sighting. Inevitably Magpies, Blackbirds, Robins, Jackdaws and Carrion Crow all were present!
Several Blue Butterflies on the wing, thankfully I could confirm an Adonis Blue to be amongst their number. This was thanks to one specimen basking in sun on the backed earth cattle track ahead of me. Speckled Wood butterflies in mating dances again were most evident amongst the branch tips of the Small Copse. Both Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper were a plenty with Large White also adding to this “food source”. Bees and Hoverflies visited flowers including bramble and the large engulfing trumpets of bind weed. Several Picture Wing Flies were noted as was the obvious Garden Spider with the white crucifix upon its abdomen.
Also en flight was the winged seeds of Thistle, Ragwort and Bristly Ox Tongue down. A Banded Snail was in clear view on a grass blade. Just seen a Wall Lizard in the Castle Gardens. Apparently Seals have been seen in Durlston Bay too!