An amazing change in the weather, the temperature fluctuated from 18.2 yesterday morning to 5.2 overnight – 13’c change!
A few groups of Swallows swooping in from the sea, at least 50 counted in total, quite wonderful to watch as they are masters of the air, whizzing above the Globe as one group was, almost as of checking where they had come from.
Other airborne geniuses are the Fulmars, three zooming close to the cliffs then away in a large circle before racing back again, a flick of the wing and one rose and glided at my eye level allowing me to admire its black eye feathers and tube nose.
The cliffs a mass of Guillemots, over 270 counted on the top and bottom ledge, while both ledges are getting spray from the swell of the sea. On the water 4 razorbills bobbing alongside another 30 or so Guillemots – have you watched the video from the weekend?
Along the inland cliff edge the Kidney Vetch is in full bloom, a riot of yellow fluffy kidneys covering the ground, trundling between them was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle and nearby its smaller relative the Lesser Bloody-nosed Beetle. A black and red beetle Canthrus rustica was perched on the leaves of a Common Vetch, which was topped by its bright purple flower.
A splash of vibrant pink near the lighthouse, showing the Gladious has come out, while dull blue of the tall Wild Clary seems to be showing well as does Thrift, Wild Cabbage and Sea Campion.
A Kestrel hovered in the strong wind, struggling lot keep perfectly still on the headland so moving inland a little, as it did so two Ravens were being harassed by a couple of Carrion Crows.
A young Great Tit fluttered amongst the rambling fronds of Black Bryony, the grey colours very different to the adults.
Yesterday saw a Red Kites over the old Swanage tip and Red Mason bees patrolling looking for holes to breed in.