Last night wind gusts on occasions gave shaky images of Venus for our Stargazer. In the early morning a 51 miles per hour gust probably cause four of our wheel barrows to fall over. The sound of a flapping wheelie bin lid and the vigorous shaking of Teasel stems did not make the world outside the chalet an inviting prospect, however, a rising sun soon improved conditions!
A deep melodic reverberating hum (almost fog horn like) sounded as the wind blew over the chain pin hole in a City of London Bollard beside the centre. An unseen Green Woodpecker whilst a Magpie was seen as I treaded across the saturated short grass. I could not help but inspect the bloom of white blossom between the Climbers car park and Lighthouse Road. The tree had Blackthorn-like bark, no thorns and a trunk diameter near 50 cm! These facts led me to consider this a Cherry Plum especially as it has blossomed far in advance of its stable mates.
I enjoyed the soothing Woodpigeon call as I walked down the time line only then to be treated to a “flap, flap glide” flight display! Chaffinches were heard then seen along with Great Tits and Robins near the “Reynolds” bench. Over Durlston Bay a pair of Buzzards soared whilst the tidal race flowed exposing the jagged Peveril Ledges. Rounding Durlston head a Shag landed in the Bay to commence fishing. I thought I saw at one Fulmar off the head not beside the Guillemots for a change. As I rounded the head I had a westerly wind blowing at me!
Near the Globe steps I saw a Peregrine Falcon stop in the air above me a give a sequence of alarm calls before it turned and head westward along the cliff top. Again I caught sight of the dark slate grey head and yellow beak flash as it flew above out to sea and turned coming back above some fifty Guillemots within their raft. Today I was able to distinguish eight Razorbills upon the sea in more sociable pairings. I was pleased seeing the how yesterday the Swanage Duke of Edinburgh Award Volunteers had opened up two narrow pinch points on the coast path. Before I headed up past the mile markers in a light shower I caught sight of one determined Adder in a meandering coil.