Luckily this morning two Rangers were scheduled for this morning patrol as one of us was needed to spend a little time with Dorset Bat Group. Doug was went into the quarr adit with a couple of licenced bat handlers where they clearly identified two Greater Horseshoe Bats as was hoped for.
Unfortunately Paul confused his days and came in later than intended. However, whilst we ordinarily see and hear Guillemots of the cliffs in the morning this is not the case later in the day. Due the warm sun rays and absent wind the fishy scent of the Guillemots scats drifted up to the coast path. Whilst the birds themselves were no longer visible upon either the ledge or sea, visitors confirmed that the birds had earlier all flown out to sea. Thankfully the sun’s heat brought a more pleasant sweet coconut scent from coastal Gorse flowers.
Margaret on her Dolphin watch shift reported a Seal off the observation point. Interestingly we have had two Seal sighting days in January, four so far in February although they are mainly of an individual off Tilly Whim or in Durlston Bay! It appeared as if six Fulmars flew about the cliffs suggesting three pairs. A Raven did fly past a cliff rock out crop level possible searching for future egg stealing locations. The castle had a super entrance show of Daffodils whilst a Greater Spotted Woodpecker called from the Holm Oak cover Blue Tits and Great Tits visited the seed feeder.