A Swallow swept over the Centre whilst on a cart park picnic bench a Grey Squirrel happily gnawed at something in its paws.
Another Ranger diary started again at the castle due to ongoing lift works. However, this gave me the opportunity to admire the banana sized Buddleia flowers on the café terrace which gave off a sweet scent in the sun. Just when I thought the flowers were rather devoid of visitors a Humming Bird Hawk Moth put in an appearance. Four Large Whites were in the vicinity of where the castle bird feeder would normally be although said item has been removed for renovation.
About the Globe, Dwarf Thistles had Six Spot Burnet Moths and Marbled Whites as visitors. Unidentified, Skippers were about and an Emperor Dragonfly flew past this water (fresh) less location! A few Valerian flower heads had gone over. Fresh shiny Garden snail shell remains showed the Globe fringes had been used as a Song Thrush anvil.
Over the cliff edge Fishing Vessel FY851 hauled in pots, later vessel E499 travelled east with half a dozen Herring Gulls following. I heard the Grey Heron before it came into view departing from the sea cliffs. I had one Kestrel fly past then spotted a second on the cliff edge. Nick Gadenne was at the Observation Point and where he was undertaking his ongoing photographic study of a quartet of young Kestrels. Nick had noted that at times the birds fight over food, may share the food and even feed on another! I saw one attempt to land in a Tamarisk branch which it discovered could not support his weight. Nick reported how he had seen Jackdaws gang up on the Kestrel juveniles when alone. We witnessed one Kestrel “buzz” a Jackdaw. Nick also reported having seen a Painted Lady below the mile markers. Amongst the forty birds upon the sea the majority were gargling Guillemots but I counted eight Razorbills and noted a Shag diving amongst them. I heard the voices drift ashore from sleek sailing sloop “Vencom” heading east and picked up office “pep” talk from two runners!
On my return to the Centre the Swallow had been joined by a pair of Swifts and five House Martins. One Large White Butterfly flying above the centre looked most vulnerable! A Woolly Thistle flower head was showing a crown of purple (?) petals. Whilst we have flowers still open the grassland can be tinder dry so smokers do take care. BBQs are only allowed beside the car parks.