A rather damp, misty and blustery morning led to limited wildlife or people being seen but I felt alive and refreshed from my walk!
Upon arrival a trio of Carrion Crows ignored me as they searched the mown car park verges for food. Overhead a pair of Wood Pigeon battled against the wind and travelled further inland, although perhaps not by choice. More successfully a mixed bag of 50 sleek House Martins and Swallows flew with determination. Sensibly from within the scrub Great Tits, Blue Tits, Chiff Chaff and Robins verbally announced their presence. A Grey Squirrel scuttled about in the Elm and Holm Oak over the time line.
From the Castle Terrace I took in the sweet scent of a remaining Buddleia flower. Further Swallows passed overhead, whilst Durlston bay was even subject to white tipped waves and Old Harry was being engulfed by the mist! From the observation point I saw a Black Backed Gull, two Gannets heading east and four Herring Gulls gradually progressed west with bent wing tips. Both Tamarisk and Holm Oak swayed in the wind.
Beside the coast path Honeysuckle was laden with juicy red berry clusters. One Burdock, stem despite loosing its leaves was still laden with burrs needing an unsuspecting mammal to carry them further a field.
Whilst the waves spayed against the rocks it was not able to neither reach Tilly Whim ledge nor perform the blow hole. Another dozen Swallows passed over the gully whilst within I spied our Roe Deer Doe again. We played our stop stare routine, both trying to look invisible to the other. She headed inland and upwards ahead of me in the gully. I found a very bedraggled and faded Painted Lady butterfly clinging desperately to a swaying grass blade. Upon many Tor Grass blades we empty Six Spot Burnet Moth cocoons. I fear I may have seen another Brown Tailed Moth tent, which I shall steer clear of. The caterpillars deposited their spines into the cocoon and webs which have caused a most itchy reaction to me and others. Katie saw a dew covered Fox Moth Caterpillar!