I headed straight to the cliff tops as my priority was to undertake a watch as part of National Whale & Dolphin Watch Week. Passing through the car park I disturbed a pair of path side Chaffinches and a Robin. It was cool with cloud, a light wind, and some dew. At long meadow I found pale red Blackberries. Wild Bay Willow Herb and Hemp Agrimony were amongst the flowers near the Dell. Both Old Harry and Peveril Ledges were seen across the bay.
Initially I thought there were ten Geese upon the sea off Durlston Head. These appeared to be Shags although I later saw some Cormorants having white throats. A Marbled White rested upon a Bramble flower then I noticed my first Teasel flowers, in this a case a band of purple petal about a spiky head! Upon the cliff top a pair of Six Spot Burnet Moths were mating on such a flower. I was surprised at the Tamarisk growth that reduced the sea views a little. Rock Samphire flowered as it grew about and out of the cliff top dry-stone wall.
A solo silent Peregrine Falcon perched on the cliff edge below the Globe. The first predator faced west from where another Peregrine came from to silently fly past over the first. About a dozen Jackdaws cackled about the Observation Point. I heard a gargling Guillemot below and glimpsed it upon the sea. Later I thought I heard it splashing and preening but this was in fact a Cormorant. Feral Doves travelled about the sea cliffs and they were joined by one Fulmar. Buff Tailed Bumblebees visited Woodsage flowers. Throughout sailing boats drifted making a score in total. The purple and some white tipped eye lashes emerged upon Burdock flowers.
Some Herring Gulls and I and a Greater Black Backed Gull were drawn to the spot where a fish had jumped out of the sea. As I stood below the mile markers, I felt rain in the air and visibility had reduced to the west. I saw the Herford Cattle grazing in 10a as I ascend the downlands stopping to check the sea in the hope of viewing a cetacean. Despite it being National Whale & Dolphin Watch Week I was not to see a marine mammal this morning. Perhaps you might today!