Today we welcomed new Apprentice, Josh, whom had commuted in from Poole by public transport!In the blue sky a waning gibbous moon could be seen. A vapour trail was carved by a climbing aircraft. Whilst I heard a tractor, I could no be certain that the hay cut was in progress.
The Large White Butterfly was the most obvious insect with forty-five counted. It was seen from the carpark and all along the cliff tops seeking nectar from Blackberry, Buddleia, Ragwort, Valerian, Bristly Ox Tongue flowers. A few Meadow Browns were also seen on the sunny slope beside the Mile Markers. Caravan terrace had a few Hemp Agrimony flowers but a good show of Common Toadflax amongst the coastal hedgerow.
The sea was flat clam with Peveril Ledges being exposed. A Wood Pigeon perched on the eastern castle turret whilst a cackling Jackdaw flew past. A pair Carrion Crow were in flight about the undercliffs. Rounding the heard I heard the shrieks of a Peregrine Falcon whilst noting that Sea Aster had appeared where scrub had been cleared below the Great Globe. From the mini observation point it was a Kestrel that appeared off the sea cliffs and gradually circled a rose on updraft before disappearing to the west. From the observation point itself a pair of Shag were seen perched on a white scat stained ledge nearest the sea. A third Shag departed from the cliff. It was not until I had passed the Dolphin Hut that, when looking east, I saw the Peregrine perched on the ledge, where the grass met rock, on Durlston Head.
Looking to the Mile marker the uppermost post had a Raven perched upon. Soon another flew in from the west, with two Jackdaws in front. The Raven croaked and landed upon the lowest mile marker. However, it was not long before it joined it partner and exchanged affectionate looking beak wipes. A local walker reported that gets a [pair of Raven’s visiting her garden morning and evening where these ringed birds drink, with heads side on, from her bird bath. Two Goldfinches briefly landed in Tamarisk beside Tilly Whim. Whilst one Stonechat was heard calling from near the Lighthouse, it was one in Gorse beside the mile markers that was seen. It flicked its tail whilst perched on a bramble stem protruding from an Ant Hill.