Early Spider Orchids flowers were open, each upon separate stems. Another two-ground hugging such flowers were eventually discovered upon Lighthouse Green.
Just off the sea cliffs one Gannet was spotted flying low over the water heading east. Shags were seen to fly in both directions. A quartet of Herring Gulls upon the sea off Tilly Whim and happened to mark the point where, a flying Fulmar turned to head back eastwards on its cliff fly past. As there were ten Guillemots clinging to the sloping surface it suggested a crowded cave today. Furthermore, the raft upon the sea number a good one hundred such birds.
Below the Lighthouse a male Stonechat was first seen then latter heard chatting from the Bramble. Constant calls came from a Magpie whom I discovered was relentlessly pursuing a mate. My last sighting of them was of his following her, performing wing beats and calling as together them walked through the grass. The female appeared more interested in finding food or nesting materials amongst the sward. As his calls ceased perhaps his luck was finally in!
Occasional Bluebells were seen in flower upon both side of the gully mouth slopes. Beside the gully cliff face I could hear a Skylark singing from further away. A pair of Bullfinches flew up the valley to be encountered again beside the Lighthouse Road Bridge. Amongst the Pear Tree blossom a pair of Chaffinches explored. On the seaward end of the bridge a Linnet fluttered up and scanned the view from the drystone wall before disappearing into tall Tor Grass again. Back on the inland side a Dunnock sang from the top of a Hawthorn. At least five male Blackbirds were observed this morning. A pair of Goldfinch gave their cheery calls from Elm trees beside the time line.
Between 11 and 3 today there are plenty of activities as part of the Durlston Pleasure Grounds Launch day! The working Horses are demonstrating today.