Upon arrival I discovered our latest new specimen, namely Rosie our second new apprentice who has joined us from Staffordshire! We shared a windy patrol around a relatively quiet Durlston. As we crossed caravan Terrace Bridge a Speckled Wood bravely fluttered past on the woodland edge. The only other butterfly seen this morning was the remains of an Adonis Blue with its metallic blue rings remaining in a spider’s web. Whilst Rosie spotted a Fox Moth Caterpillar upon the grassy slope of the gully, I unfortunately caught sight of several Brown Tailed Moth caterpillars in their web tents upon Blackthorn.
We passed keen birdwatchers on the coast path and learnt that Gannets and Sandwich Terns had been seen off Durlston Head. It was a relief to be able to return the favour by pointing out the location of a Peregrine Falcon perched upon the cliffs just below the observation point. The predator was initially staring inland at the rock face taking shelter from the wind. However, one eager eye soon swivelled to look in our direction. Upon the cliffs towards Tilly Whim ledge a solitary Greater Black Backed Gull was perched. Only within the relative shelter of Durlston Bay was a Shag seen upon the water, otherwise a few were observed flying over it.
Rosie wished to learn the name of what was a Stinking Iris, which was displaying bulging pods with orange seeds splitting the pod open. Fortunately, Rosie did not find the smell of the torn leaves too unpleasant. Likewise she was relieved that unlike Trentham Gardens, it would not be essential to learn the Latin names for everything. She discovered a Fox Moth and was keen to learn the name of Bastard Toad Flax.The sound of a wind was made more evocative by passing through the mile markers and overhead wires. On Friday night Dorset Bat Group undertook at bat survey. Five Common Pipistrelle, one Natterers, one Greater Horseshoe (which had already been rung – possibly at Winspit) and one Barbastelles which was an unusual find for Durlston. As with the Bird Ringer a mist net was employed to capture these flying mammals.