From the approach road I noted the Hereford cattle as being in Smith field, grazing where we were unable to take a hay cut this year. A good score of Jackdaws flew overhead. To greet me at the centre was a Red Admiral with closed wings clinging to the wall, later perhaps it was the same one I saw at flight.
Out of curiosity I took a deliberate diversion to see if any early Guillemots had returned to the ledge. I was delighted to see twenty five white breasted statutes standing upon the sea cliff cave ledge, two of which I saw fly low out across the sea. Meanwhile a score of Herring Gulls flocked about a Lobster / Crab pot Vessel off Durlston Head. Yesterday I learnt that a Berried lobster was a female lobster laden with eggs! One man’s determined efforts eventually changed UK procedures which led to more UK caught egg laden lobsters being returned to sea. A pair of Herring Gulls were observed investigating the short sward of the coastal slopes whereas earlier a score followed the fishing vessel.
I was uncertain if it were Firecrest old Gold crests I saw today, however, it was possible both consider they were sighted in separate locations. My first encounter was in Tamarisk at the bottom of the diagonal path. The bright yellow head stripe was most obvious up this small active bird. My second encounter of two or three such specimens were high up in the branches of Sycamore beside Lighthouse Road Bridge. Stonechats, Robins and Meadows Pipits were more obvious. The later seen on down land scrub whilst confident Robins happily appeared a song by my side from wall or tree perches. I wax lucky to get a clear view of a Blackcap which was some safe in the cover of Blackthorn. Skylark and Green Woodpecker were only heard however Chaffinches, Great Tits and Blue Tits finally came into view. A Jay and Butterfly flew up as I approached the Small Copse and notice cattle “modification” of many ant hills in South Field.
A Bottlenose Dolphin was reported was reported heading west and breaching off Anvil Point around 11:00!