In warm sunshine, my early patrol started with a wonderful few minutes watching two young Stoats scurrying in and around an old rotting log, between he fronds of Hart’s Tongue Fern and the stems of the Docks. On my first glimpse, Weasel I thought, due to its small size, but then the long faintly black-tipped tail was spotted as it bounded, definite. So lucky to be in the right spot at the right time and looking in the right direction!
While enjoying this sight, bird sounds emanated from the surrounding trees with the cooing of Wood Pigeons, cackling of Jackdaws, calling Chaffinches and the newly fledged Great Tits.
On the cliffs the Guillemots are well into their breeding season, with lots of chicks now hatched – see our website for yesterday’s video action Wildlife & Marine - Guillemots (durlston.co.uk). The growling and gargling of these black and white birds accompany the strong fishy stench of their guano, which stains the rocks below.
Flying past a delicate Kittiwake, probably part of the colony which breeds just down the coast. Also skimming further out a few brilliant white Gannets and closer in 2 Herons were harassed by some Herring Gulls.
On one of the ledges two grey and black spotted chicks of the Great Black-backed Gull wandered, their parent looking on from nearby.
Swathes of pink Thrift cover the clifftops, with Kidney Vetch, Horseshoe Vetch and the purple-pink Common Mallow. On the sturdy waxy stems of Sea Beet were some – as yet unidentified – Shield Bugs, a couple of mating pairs and a few singles.
Gorgeous pink Bee Orchids in flower on the downland, clifftops and in the meadows, as are the much more numerous Common Spotted Orchids.
My first Lulworth Skipper of the year, the small dusky brown skipper flitting through the grasses. Dingy Skipper, Small Heath, Small Blue, Wall Brown and Meadow Brown.
A brilliant green spot in the centre of the Rough Hawkbit, caught my eye, this gorgeous beetle was a Thick-kneed Flower Beetle – one of my favourites.
As I got off my hands and knees a young Yellowhammer landed in the Apple Tree above me.