Yesterday gave the coldest minimum temperature for many months. In the evening there was plenty of House Martin & Swallow activity to been enjoyed from the Centre. However, that activity ceased as the temperature dropped and insects stopped flying. The dwindling insect food source will eventually trigger the migration of many birds.
After a disrupted patrol, due to assisting contractors, it was a relief to receive bird sightings from Hamish. I was delighted, thanks to Hamish, to witness the passage of five Eider Ducks heading west low over the sea. Whilst I could recognise the Black Headed Gulls, that were most unusually seen off Durlston Head, I would not have picked out the Mediterranean Gulls amongst them. Hamish’s other sightings were: Brent Geese; Siskin; Grey wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Sand Martins and Firecrest. Thankfully the "LBJs" that had passed overhead were indeed Linnets!
This visibility today was most clear giving full views of the Isle of Wight and Hurst Castle. At one point it appeared as if Hurst Castle was upon an “island in the sky”, well at least hovering over the sea. A pair of Great Black Gulls positioned themselves at separate points along the sea cliffs. Off Durlston Head a Shag spread out it wings to dry as it sat upon a rock just off shore. Another two Shags appeared one flying in a clockwise circuit skimming the sea cliffs. It was a surprised to see a Peregrine Falcon fly past at what a rather low level beside the sea cliffs was. Beside the coast path a vociferous Robin called from the Blackthorn tips just a meter away from me over the drystone wall. Meanwhile, those Sycamore nearest the coast appeared to have shed most of their leaves. Ivy flowers provided the last native nectar source for the Bumble Bee and Red Admiral that passed. On the ground the hairy brown caterpillar was that of a Fox Moth.
At the mile markers a pair of Jackdaws were dislodged from their perch by a half dozen Carrion Crow. The later were also engaged in playful dog fights amongst themselves.In an undisclosed location I saw signs of fresh Badger activity in the form of excavations. Fresh stone and soil had mostly likely had been cleared from a reactivated passage. Between the Mile Markers Roe Deer slots were captured in bare clay patches. The mammal on ascending the slopes had nearly stepped in its own “hoof prints”. The hind legs coming so close the where the fore legs hand stood.