Last night’s bird boat trip was a success in that near Dancing Ledge four Puffins were observed. Three such birds were seen between the slight swell upon the water along with Guillemots whilst another was wedge like a pebble in the “Puffin band” crevice within the Portland Limestone. Kittiwake perched like ornaments upon a mantle-piece at Blacker’s Hole. Off Ballard Down were we treated to a several close fly passes by on Gannet which adjoined us again off Blacker’s. Conditions were such that it was difficult to stay close to Durlston’s cliff on this occasion but the Fulmar were observed as were Swifts further along. Another success was the Friends of Durlston Quiz Night and raffle with fifty folk in attendance! Pipistrelle Bats flew over my head as walked through wooded on the way to Durlston.
This morning whilst breakfasting in Durlston Chalet Garden a Green Woodpecker silently flew past, unlike a pair of Carrion Crow. Unfortunately, I discovered a dead Fox Moth Caterpillar which had the misfortune to have fallen into a bucket of sand. A Small Blue and several Meadow Brown butterflies (as well as small day flying moths) were on the wing despite the breeze. I had two Bloody-nosed Beetle encounters and a virtually wingless male Great Green Bush-cricket Nymph was upon the centre door. When I rested my note pad upon one of Lighthouse Road’s bridge parapets I discovered it to be crawling with tiny Red Spider Mites!
Greater Knapweed flowered beside the road whilst fluffy Woolly Thistle heads varied from table tennis to tennis ball size near the bridge. Upon Lighthouse Green I found a good score of pink / purple Pyramidal Orchids were in flower, however, today’s Bee Orchid in flower was in the lightly grazed sward between the Lighthouse and Gully Rock escarpment. Common Centaury was in flower showing its pink five petals a yellow stamen and anther. Unidentified leaf rolling insects had created saw haven with the end of silk fibres on Bramble leaves. The female Holly Tree near the Gully Mouth was laden with red fruits (technically drupes which contain up to ten seeds).
A Male Stonechat chatted whilst Goldfinches more noisily nattered as they flew by. As I returned to the centre a Kestrel hovered above and in front of me as I climbed past the mile markers. I found a handful of Kestrel feathers which suggested it had preened on the ground. Whilst looking at the pair of House Sparrows outside their noisy nest, high above the roof a Swift appeared in view.