Warren was already upon the Gallery Terrace undertaking a Pelagic Watch. He reported a Puffin and three Manx Shearwaters having flown west. Flying east he had seen 7 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 23 Common Scoter. I was delighted at the close proximity of the Gannets such that one flew over Durlston Head! As the birds were travelling both East and West we assumed them to be fishing just off the globe. A group of half a dozen included one immature bird with full black wing span. A good score of Guillemots were seen upon the sea below the globe, whilst a second score formed another raft below the “camera” colony with many individuals upon the water and travelling from sea to cliff. Five Razorbills were water borne birds. Near to Tilly Whim there were some thirty Herring Gull, riding an updraft in a higher and lower group. It was my first experience this year of the “just opened sardine tin” scent associated with our cliff nesting sea birds.
The gully down land sides were a flush of green grass whilst the scrub was blooming with blossom. Both Cherry and Apple trees were in bloom too! A Bracken frond was yet to fully extend upon the coast path, however, Milkwort showed blue flowers upon the downs. Interestingly a Chervil leaf had managed to grow full circle spiralling back on itself! Wild Madder showed fresh growth and the Black Medic had its ball like yellow flowers out. As expected I found two Early Spider Orchids below Jon & Joan’s bench above the quarr. On several occasions I have forgotten to mention the Forget Me Nots at the car park margins.
I heard the song of Whitethroat and Song Thrush but saw a Green Woodpecker at long meadow, which also had a far too healthy population of Mares Tail. A Blue Tit flew into a cavity of a dry stone wall beside the bus stop, a nest perhaps of a miniature cave housing insects! I nearly forgot a Peregrine Falcon had flown up from low down the sea cliff only to take off high above the castle.