A warm summer morning, I was joined for the early rounds by Kath, the Ranger from Thorncombe Wood (well worth a visit!), who had been out bird ringing as part of our ongoing studies and will be leading a bird walk here in September. Her highlight this morning, a Sparrowhawk successfully ringed – only her second one!
A good morning of ringing overall, with Tree Pipit, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, several Grasshopper Warblers, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff caught, measured, weighed ringed and safely released. This type of study, carried out across the UK and Europe is vital to our understanding of migration and behaviour and the conservation of these species.
A quiet morning at sea, with a Gannet gliding steadily by – huge and white, before settling on the water and a Peregrine beautifully silhouetted on the cliffs.
Along the clifftop a profusion of fruits and berries adorn the hedges and scrub. Ropes of Bryony berries garland the branches of Blackthorn like strings of glossy green beads. Dusty blue Sloes are starting to ripen, with clusters of the tiny berries of Bittersweet, translucent crimson Honeysuckle, Rosehips and the fruits of Madder – the giant ‘seaside’ version of the more familiar Cleavers. Also in flower, the red-purple flowers of Red Bartsia and plenty of the flowers of OId Man’s Beard (or Father Christmas, to give it it’s traditional Dorset name). Lots of the fluffy Robin’s Pincushion galls on Dog Rose, each containing a Gall Wasp larva.
Still plenty of clifftop flowers in bloom, including the lilac daisy-like flowers of Sea Aster, the green yellow Cow Parsley like Rock Samphire and bright yellow Golden Samphire in dense patches here and there.
The flat whistle of a Bullfinch heard from the scrub above the cliffs along with the ‘chuckle’ of a Green Woodpecker and the chatter of Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits.
Hamish had been out in the meadows since first light, with an Ortolan Bunting seen passing just over his head and a Redstart perched in a hedgerow – both signs that autumn migration is now well underway.
Near the Centre, Swallows swirl high overhead, including many young birds, lacking the long tail streamers of the adults.