A stunning starry sky last night which was dark black with thousands of twinkling lights, just awesome looking up. Flashing through my eyeline was the occasional Pipistrelle Bat, with a large Noctule Bat spotted as well.
The sudden tapping of hard nails on hard path indicated night-time wildlife movement, with a Badger emerging from the undergrowth and then disappearing into the darkness.
The early morning sunrise not as spectacular as of late but the south westerly wind has brought some wave action so the clifftops was the place to enjoy first thing. Here the white crests were rolling in from the Atlantic, but not crashing against the Portland limestone.
Standing on the ledge half way up the cliff were Guillemots, a quick count made about 70, a closer inspection enabled me to record that about 35% of them were still in complete ‘winter’ plumage with white faces and heads while about half of them were in ‘breeding summer plumage’. Sitting alongside them on the ledge, dwarfing them, was Herring Gull.
Around Durlston Head and the sea was much flatter in the sheltered bay, where 3 Shags were bobbing in the water while a Greater Black-backed Gull called loudly as it flew over – sounding rough - as if it had a bad throat!
In a large Sycamore tree a sudden flurry of activity from some of our tiniest birds. The highlight was a Firecrest, which was flitting from twig to twig, the bright orange red crest showing fabulously as was its white face markings.
Nearby in amongst the ropes of the Wild Clematis was a Goldcrest, giving me the opportunity to compare these two beauties.
With last nights clear skies the moth trap was not expected to be up to much, however some species were still identified including a Black Rustic, as the name suggests a black moth, also Feathered Ranunculus, Green-brindled Crescent and Lunar Underwing.
Overhead a Raven was calling, the distinctive cronk competing with the squawking of Jays for airtime.
A Common Shrew dark coat and long snout picked out as it dashed across the path.