Last night Canon UK and Castle Cameras held a session for retailers photographing the Milky Way from Durlston. As a result I saw five Glow-worm in the long grass in front of Learning Centre then another four beside Lighthouse Road as far as the quarr. I fell out of bed a 3am to respond to a radio call from our guests asking how best to lock up the Learning Centre.
Opening the chalet back door both a Rabbit and I were startled first thing this morning! Taking cover in a Silver Birch was my first Dunnock of the morning. The soothing calls off Wood Pigeon were heard as were the squawks of Magpies. At the Gallery Terrace I saw for Swallow fly past whilst a single Gannet flew by close to shore despite calm conditions.
From the observation point two Shag sat on the ledge nearest the sea whilst above them perched a Great Black Backed Gull. I later saw then again from Tilly Whim this time looking east with the empty Guillemot cave between them. Back at the observation point looking towards Durlston Head I saw both a Peregrine Falcon and Rock Pipit perched on the rocky cliff face. I had a second Gannet sighting although I could have been my initial one circling. Jackdaws sat silently in the Tamarisk whilst westward above Tilly Whim a dark shape was on the coastal drystone wall.
The shape became two Carrion Crow sat in very close proximity. One was working at a dry twig with a fanned end. The twig was often dropped and head to be retrieved from between the capstone. Perhaps this was to become a tool for preening those difficult to reach places? Both Gatekeepers and Marbled White were seen on the coast path. Meadow Brown, Adonis Blue and Speckled Wood were later soon as well. Below the Lighthouse I spotted nine dry stems of Carrot Broomrape. Coastal succulents were represented by flower Rock Samphire and Golden Samphire. A Buff Tailed Bumble visited a Dwarf Thistle flower.
A score of Herring Gull occupied the coastal down land rabbit grazed slope. As I progressed up slope through the wares I heard what sounded like a most distressed Kestrel. However, when the juvenile flew past I saw nothing chasing or harassing it. At the Small Copse Long-tailed Tits were heard before being seen and from the Copse cover another Kestrel shot out. Then there were two!