Somewhere within the coastal woodland parallel to Long Meadow a Chaffinch sang. Upon further investigation another Chaffinch appeared upon the coast path in front of me picking up and making away with a white downy feather. Nesting material I presumed remembering that some species have more than one brood. There was such significant branch movement of Holm Oak and Sycamore in the wind that it took me a while to find the Blue Tit and then Great Tit hiding within their branches.
As I approached the Castle I discovered not one but three straight but dead Witch Elm stems approximately four inches in diameter. Two Robins searched the open area along the timeline. I noted both Buddleia and Mares Tail engulfing one of castle “bollard” lights despite a spring pruning.
I bumped into early Dolphin Watcher Ann whom reported the raft of 97 Guillemot she observed soon took to flight. Whilst Durlston bay was “relatively calm” the Head was having a battering. However, I was delighted to see that the wind had brought two Gannets close to the shore. There were clear white horses out at sea with rolling waves and the slender Tamarisk stems flexed featherlike in the wind. I saw Cormorants travel in opposite directs on the coast (or perhaps one circling!). Plenty of white downy Wood Pigeon feathers near the Globe suggested either a Peregrine or Fox had been in action. Meanwhile before the observation point I saw the raft of nearly one hundred Guillemots somewhat further east probably due to the wind. I attempted to seek out Razorbills amongst their number only to get watery eyes and have my cap blown off (inland fortunately!). I observed one Guillemot land on the water wings spread with a “plop” going under only to surface shortly!
Amongst those plants in flower were: Ragwort (hopefully it will be eaten my Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars); Tamarisk; Rosehip; Yellow Wort; Valerian; Pyramidal Orchid and I believe Wayfaring Tree had set seeds.