Yesterday’s rainfall reading read 20.4! Today sun and breeze were welcome. Last nights moth trap, on passing inspection, held a Tiger Moth and a dozen moths for our visiting surveyor the deal with.
Jackdaws cackled beside the Dell bridge from a mast laden Ash. Despite several weeding session a Buddleia had re-established itself growing out of the bridge stonework. Searching the short grass of caravan terrace was an adult and a juvenile Green Woodpecker. The latter had a mottled head feathers instead of its dark colour. A third Woodpecker called from the scrub cover above yet gained not response from the two below. The pair flew up and perched in a Hawthorn with Durlston Bay as a backdrop. From the bay I heard yet could not see Sandwich Terns. I also heard them off Durlston Head tantalising out of site.
Back on the terrace a Wall Brown spread its wings in the sun and basked on the rock face. Amongst the terrace’s flowers were Enchanter Nightshade, Self-Heal, Hemp Agrimony, Burdock, Wild Bay Willow Herb and Wild Thyme. A Bumblebee attempted to find a flower amongst the Red Bartsia. Skippers and Blue butterflies also put in appearances.
I heard Peregrine Falcon’s calls and I saw one then two such birds of prey tumbling in the sky with a trio of Ravens. One Peregrine headed back to the cliff tops leaving the other to see the trio off over Durlston Bay. Later at the cliff face a Peregrine perched near the top, a Great Black Backed Gull below, below that two preening cliff hugging Shags with a third Shag at the waters edge ledge below.
Beside the coast path a Valerian plant held a few white petals. Teasel heads were had some element of balding with one holding petals was visited by a Marbled White. At Durlston Head the poisonous berries of Bittersweet were still a beige colour. Wild Madder also showed pail fruits which will eventually turn black.
Heading west over the sea was a low flying Shag and a slightly higher-flying Gannet. A duo of Great Black Backed Gulls turned 360 degree over Tilly Whim Ledge. One was a youngster which still had some white patches amongst its black wing feathers. Beneath them sat Herring Gulls sat below. Clifftop Tamarisk was tickled by the strong breeze. Offshore there were many white wavelets. On occasions a feint whistle of the wind was heard through a Mile Marker whilst Tor Grass rippled at its feet. Nearby was much Wild Carrot in flower.