Yesterday evening on the “Late, late” duty I thought I had spied a Fulmar fly past the cliff tops. This morning a photographer at the Observation Point reported having seen three Fulmar and two Peregrine Falcons, one a suspected juvenile. Indeed it is likely the Fulmar trio at least included a juvenile returning to the nesting ground. Similarly last night I saw several Bloody-nose Beetles, however, one poor female had two male mounts (only one having success!). This morning three such beetles crossed my path… separately!
The sun rose bright over Durlston Head and castle. In the warmth the Buddleia gave off its scent which successfully drew visiting Bees. At Long Meadow I had a butterfly fly past at eye level which was probably a Gatekeeper. I later saw a second such butterfly on the coast path towards Durlston Head.
Off the cliffs a dead Herring Gull floated upon the sea. I recalled how I had observed Great Black Back Gulls in the past attempting to devour such a water borne meal with some difficulty!
Within the Aviaries I noted the delicate remains of Enchanter Nightshade flowers. Unseen overhead I believed I heard the calls of a Buzzard. I heard a tapping which was most likely that of a Song Thrush extracting a snail. Beside the “Departed but not forgotten” bench there was a flurry of Wood Warbler and Long Tailed Tits. Today I heard both Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers out of sight. I could not help but notice the stems of Box which might one day be of use to our resident artist Robin as a print maker.
On the track outside Solent House I found several Oak Knopper galls which essentially looked like bits of part-chewed toffee coating an acorn. It had been made by the tree in reaction to a Gall Wasp having penetrated it to deposit eggs.
From the diagonal path I believed I heard the calls of a Dartford Warbler from amongst the Gorse. Elsewhere, Ivy flower buds had begun to form so to provide the last of the flowering native plants of the year. Again it was another morning on an observation visitor survey and I was delighted to get a nice mix of joggers and photographers.