A fresh breezy patrol took me along the coast path where two Peregrine Falcons were screeching at each other, both perched on points on the cliff their slate grey backs showing as they faced towards the sea.
Down by Tilly Whim, 4 young Herring Gulls called plaintively to a parent, with 1 continuing to call as the others took to the wing. Skimming low to the water was a Shag with a couple more perched on the lower rock.
This morning I headed towards the downland, and flitting by the dry-stone wall was a Wheatear. This superb white-rumped bird moving from ground to wall and back again, flashing its rump. The appearance of Wheatears is always near the beginning of the autumn migration, also encompassed by the arrival of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers of which a few were noted moving amongst the Bramble and Blackthorn scrub.
Yesterday we identified what seems to be the first ever record at Durlston of a Dotterel, this small wader was photographed in the long grass of the meadows by a visitor.
Along the coast the ‘chatting’ of Stonechats could be heard, then a family appeared on the fenceline the youngsters with pale markings compared with the parents, the male still showing off his bright orange chest and dark head.
Disturbed from the grass was a bright blue Common Blue butterfly which then fluttered a few feet and then descended again on the stem of Tall Fescue. Also flying were a few Meadow Browns a Marbled White and a Small Heath.
Great Green-bush Crickets, Dark Busk-cricket, Long-winged Conehead, Speckled Bush-cricket and Oak Bush-cricket all found in the meadows and hedges.
Last night’s bat survey in the woods identified Pipistrelles as the most common species, but alongside these was a Brown Long Eared Bat and a Barbastelle Bat. These last two records are of species that we have rarely encountered in the past.
Also noted near the centre was a couple of bright green Glow-worms, the magic light dangling from a tall grass stem. The numbers are declining during August as I counted 12 a week ago, hopefully this means the glowing females have been successful in attracting the males this year. Meanwhile a Tawny Owl was hooting from the nearby Holm Oaks.