For the Autumn Equinox (which denotes the meteorological beginning of autumn) I was greeted Durlston sunshine with after a journey through mist in the valleys.
Whilst some three hundred House Martins and Swallows were seen about Long Meadow, the Castle and Coast Path none were to seen upon the gully overhead wires. My bird highlights were a Firecrest (beside the cycle racks) upon a Blackthorn which had only lichen cover. I heard many but saw only one Long Tailed Tit nearby and what I believed was a Marsh Tit! Upon the wares a flock of some fifty Goldfinches took occasional rest but otherwise bounced from scrub to scrub. Katie reported a flock of forty Skylarks at rest on the sward of Johnston Meadow. She also had sight of a Redstart and Whinchat (in Saxon). A photographer I met had been observing a Spotted Fly Catcher over several days above Tilly Whim steps. He also reported a Sedge Warbler.
I smelt the sweet scent of the simple Evergreen Ivy flowers (upon Blackthorn) which, in the sun had drawn nectar seeking Wasps, Bees and Hoverflies whom inadvertently picked up pollen upon their legs. Below the Globe a Peacock butterfly flew over the Tamarisk, whilst I spotted a Wall Brown whilst hoping to see a pre hibernation Adder upon the Tilly Whim steps outcrop. Whilst both Valerian and a few some Buddleia flowers remained, none were seen with insects this morning.
At the observation point a Rock Dove sat the other side of the glass! Looking down below to the lowest ledge with its fossilised tree stump, were some seven Cormorant (defined by their white throat feathers). One held a white feather in its beak and another a dry twig or piece of sea weed for reasons unknown! At least five Greater Black Backed Gulls were observed today, a pair of which flew inland up the gully. Our pair of Raven were present one sat upon the lowest mile marker whilst the other flew undulating along the clifftops towards the other.
Our Holm Oak was holding acorns which are useful to show any doubting Thomas’s when explaining that this is an evergreen oak!
NCI Portland Bill reported 6 Dolphins headed towards Durlston at 10:40am.