Rabbits bounded off away from me beside the centre then at the gully floor. A pair of Hereford Cattle initially seemed to be using each other as rubbing posts but this converted to a playful (?) head on scrum. Above the Quarr a feint musky scent suggested a Fox had been there.
About the Centre a pair of Goldfinches and another of Chaffinches were seen upon tree tops. In many places the Great Tits were vocal but more so Centre side. Upon the roof ridge a Pied Wagtail was fleetingly seen. Within the gully a pair of Long Tailed Tits seemed to follow me. They even traversed back and forth from gully sides. Perhaps they had yet to build their nest which would incorporate spider’s webs and moss. A trio of Stonechats with two males calling raced between Gorse and Blackthorn. High on top of a leafless Sycamore a Bullfinch called out across the gully. At sea at least three angling vessel headed west (including “Happy Hooker 2”) and consider two Shag went likewise they must have been onto something. If that were the case why were a steady stream of Herring Gull going in the opposite direction?
Beside the Small Copse a Wren confidently trilled from the exposed top of a fencepost. Blackbirds were most active about the gully bridge. One Jackdaw was observed plucking dry tor grass blades from the sward no doubt to line a nest. Whilst Hawthorn buds were revealing leaves (in places) Blackthorn had occasionally opened one of two blossom flowers. I crunched the remains’ of a Garden (or Common) Snail shell near a Song Thrush’s rocky anvil. A Plaited Door Snail had its door shut. Again Hairy Violet was the prevalent flower. Beside a cleared dry stone wall some Harts Tongue Ferns had fresh fronds ready to take advantage of the open area.
It paid off going back to investigate a hole at the foot of a tree in the Aviaries. I was rewarded with my first Fairy encounter at Durlston. We discussed her possibly applying her “special skill set” to potential future projects including: a miniature funicular railway connecting the Lighthouse to Swanage; adaption of the measured mile markers into an aerial run way and “persuading” all visitors to pick up after themselves and their dogs! Remember we are always keen for more volunteers from the realm of mythical creatures and the wider community!