This morning caused me to reflect upon how easily we can take things for granted. I was not surprised to see Marled Whites and Six Spot Burnet Moths upon the wing, despite a breeze. However, the three Swifts and two House Martins and the knowledge that the Stour Valley Ringing Group will be back in action reminded me that migration is on the cards.
A brief peek at the Guillemot colony brought a shock. From the clifftops no birds were seen in the cave ledge nor on the sea. Whilst it was inevitable that the birds would move on it still came as a shock. However, back at the Centre the cliff camera revealed some thirty birds on a hidden ledge with a few chicks!
When I walked down “mile Marker slope” a Green Woodpecker flew noisily past disappearing into Holm Oak cover. At the clifftop a Peregrine Falcon sped past bound for Durlston Head. Off shore Shags flew in both directions along the shoreline.
At the gully mouth whilst Rock Samphire flowers were yet to open but Golden Samphire gave quite some colour! Rock Sea Lavender dominated the westward side and east whilst westward a delicate pink / purple flowers stood of leafless stem protruding from a basal rosette. In places the odd Thrift flower hung on.
Having heard a male Stonechat I was impressed with the strength of its vivid colour. It appeared that never before had the black and white contrast been so bold. Somewhere from amongst the gorse the scratchy unmistakeable call of a Dartford Warbler was heard.
I couple of the Marbled Whites seen upon the flowers of Scabious and Wood sage but these may have been used as basking perches.