Over a slight sea two Gannets flew past in opposing directions, or perhaps one bird that turned around! I saw a Shag take off from the sea initially heading west but turning back upon itself to head west.
Amongst the lower gully scrub there was a wealth of bird life. Admittedly throughout this morning I saw plenty of small Warblers which were difficult to differentiate! However, I had the unmistakeable sighting of a Wryneck. A rather wide mouthed bird with a distinctive mottled pattern. Also on the gully slopes appeared a Wheatear with its distinctive dark eye band. Also flitting about between scrub and Bristly Ox-tongue were two pairs of Stonechats with the males clearly “chatting”.
Today’s most abundant butterfly was the Small White seen mostly on the diagonal path and goat plot, however, a Silver Y Moth, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Common Blue were seen in small numbers. Amongst a goods score of House Martins I heard and saw a handful of Swifts overhead.
I turned upon hearing a Raven to see two flying seaward down the gully with one carrying an egg (most likely a Pigeon’s as they can breed all year round) in its beak.At the top of the wares two Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flew past me up slope whilst a Swallow skimmed the ground.
Upon the Lighthouse Road between the tree cover a brave Rabbit explored. Later a more discrete Roe Deer sat amongst the sward of the goat plot and stared seaward with ears erect as I explored the diagonal path below.
Mick reported that today the seventh Nightjar ever rung at Durlston was caught this morning. Such birds breed upon our dry heathland areas including our sister Country Park Avon Heath. Yesterday a team of us were using Avon Heath heather bales to repair a wet bridleway through Creech heath. We disturbed two Common Toads which had taken cover between the bales.