The Bird Ringers were active playing a variety of bird calls Tree Pipits and eight types of warbler re amongst their captures. This morning on the 7 to 8 visitor survey one Jogger paused to photograph the Great Globe whilst a dog walker was content keeping to the coast path. Visibility was excellent showing Hurst Castle (and beyond), however, dark rain clouds emptied over St. Catherine’s Head on the Isle of Wight.
Amusingly a Magpie blended in with the pied pattern of the pedestrian crossing and soon was part of a trio. At the foot of a wall beside the timeline I believe the firm, brown, roundish, leathery form at the foot of the wall was Giant Puff Ball. In Long Meadow the later flowering Fleabane was most noticeable with Greater Knapweed and Ragwort also obvious. Opposite Solent House a good dozen dry stems of Tall Broomrape was at the scrubby margin. Most of the Blackberry bushes had more fruits than flowers although many of the latter were yet to ripen. Within the aviary’s woodland the pearl like fruits of Snowberry were out. There were at least two Wrens engaged in vocal warfare which meant much “trilling”! A single Carrion Crow was upon the turret corbel of one of the towers. However, a partner soon joined it on the parapet below.
Off Durlston head some thirty Herring Gulls, including several mottled juveniles, sat upon the sea. Two Great Black-backed Gulls were perched at opposite ends of the cliffs one upon Tilly Whom Ledge the other vat Durlston Head. Two Shags departed from the foot of the cliffs but arced out to travel in opposite directions. Where the seaward Tamarisk had been cut (to provide sea views) Sea Aster flowers were visible. The inland Tamarisk held Chiff Chaffs and a Great Tit. Jackdaws scattered, cackling about the Observation Point. Looking up the diagonal path thee was a Rabbit sat on the stony surface peering into the Gorse. Seaward of the path the calls of a Dartford Warbler were heard whilst the path side Hemp Agrimony flowers had turned to fluffy seeds. The red orange flowers of the garden escape Crocosmia had fortunately not yet spread.
Upon hearing “mooing” cattle I headed out tom the coastal ridge. Both a Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood were spotted on the way with a Bull Finch being seen in the upper gully. The Herford Bull named “Norse” appeared content with his harem. Tonight’s Stargazing is on!