Ballard Down was just a shadow across the sea, whilst white water was about Peveril Point Ledges and crashing into the rocky shore of Durlston Bay. Fortunately a coppiced Elm’s regrowth was yet to disrupt the seated view from the Brady Bench.
As I approached caravan Terrace Bridge three Blackbirds took to flight. Several work parties efforts meant that most of terrace rock face was exposed, as were some Harts Tongue Fern, previously in the shade of scrub cover. Only briefly was a Jay heard then seen to disappear into cover. Three Woodpigeon flew up from the coast path ahead of me whilst a stream of Herring Gulls travelled against the wind heading west past Durlston Head. Hamish sensibly travelling with the wind (on the ground!) reported a score of Mediterranean Gulls off shore. A pair of Great Black Back Gulls added to the travelling seabirds. I saw a Shag fly from the sea cliffs initially heading west only to turn 180 degrees and go with the wind. I saw a second such “higher” black sea flyer of Tilly Whim which did succeed in westward flight.
Amongst the cover of the coastward Tamarisk a few Sea Aster flower persisted. A few Knapweed flowers were evident below the globe. Rock Samphire on the lea ward side of a coastal dry stone wall still had their succulent flowers. I was surprised to find Thrift still in flower, however, it was in the shelter of the bottom 9of the gully mouth. Seaward Golden Samphire held some yellow flowers despite the sea spray and the occasional blast from the blow hole. A Kestrel was seen over the wares as I ascended from the Lighthouse.
At lighthouse green I saw evidence of my arch nemesis, Brown Tailed Moth, in the form of their caterpillar tents. Today being day three of my rash which was a reaction to the aforementioned caterpillars’ hairs! Upon the short sward interspersed with trample resistant plants, lichen, moss and bedrock were thousands of tiny conical and round snails.