Last night’s bird boat trip brought us good views of cliff nesting Swifts and up to six Puffins as well as Kittiwakes near Dancing Ledge. Off course we were treated to good views of Durlston’s Guillemots, Fulmars, Greater Black Backed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Shags. A Peregrine Falcon put in appearance off Ballard Down whilst a Roe deer was seen twice between Durlston and Dancing Ledge.
Today I found developing Haws on Hawthorn, sloes on Blackthorn and large marbles (alleys?) size conker pods on Horse Chestnut. For the first time I found flowers on Holm Oak, although rather more like “loose” catkins! Perhaps this explained why I felt the need for the additional support of a hay fever nasal spray! Dog Wood was also in flower with its clusters of cream / white petals.
Two Roe Deer ran across Tasker’s Meadow into the cover of the Large Copse, a little later a Roe Buck ran back in the opposite direction.
Speckled Woods were soon on woodland margins and one Red Admiral put in an appearance. However, several pale unidentified Skippers were also seen. I believed it was the cocoon of a Six Spot Burnet moth which was stuck on the electric fence box.
Within the unmown area of Long Meadow “off flow car park”, when extended, the grass blades and seed heads stood taller than my mere five feet six! Far more delicate and very small “oriental paper lantern” seed heads of quaking Oat Grass were seen elsewhere.
At Large Copse the multitude of identical bird calls were soon revealed to be that of a family of Long Tailed Tits. Of course Skylarks were also heard along with Whitethroat. Magpie clans were at both Large and Reservoir Copses. The two group flew out nearly meeting only to veer off at the last minute in different directions. Blackbirds were often seen on the mown footpath ahead of me.
Longmeadow had Pyramidal Orchid stems near eighteen inches tall opposite the “Stagg” bench. Smithfield had impressive cushion clumps of Horseshoe Vetch.