It was a delight to be out on this refreshing morning, with damp vegetation and a moody mist offshore. I spotted the non-native (& potentially invasive) red / orange flowers of Mont Breccia beside the timeline (also in the Dell). Upon the Mock Orange, water droplets showed up a spider’s web ready to catch flying insects. The wind caused Elms to sway below the Sea Chart.
At the observation point I heard the calls of an unseen Peregrine Falcon. On the cliff face I found two perching Herring Gulls and Greater Black Backed Gull upon Tilly Whim ledge. A pair of Shags appeared from beyond Durlston Head, they passed the two crew upon pot fishing vessel FY851. It was ten that the Peregrine appeared a flew west relatively low off the sea cliffs. Croaks announced the arrival of two Raven that perched upon the seaward wall, prior to there venturing down the face. Wild Madder fruits dangled about the wall. Coastal Gorse was decorated with spider webs ready for crawling victims.
Beside the bedrock steps both succulents, Golden and Rock Samphire bloomed. Venturing up the gully I went through Ant Hills, Corky Fruited Water Dropwort, Red Bartsia and Ragwort. Through the Mile Markers the feint sound of the wind was heard. A Kestrel flew from the Sycamore cover to perch upon the rock face on the opposite side of the gully. Nearby I heard the familiar call of a Stonechat, of which I was to latter see a pair below the rock face alongside Hemp Agrimony flowers at the scrub margin. Gorse seed pods covered patches of bare ground upon cattle tracks. I arrived at the edge of the rock face believing the Kestrel had gone, but no I sent it up! Fortunately, I saw the bird contented perched for a considerable time upon the stone windowsill of the Lighthouse complex. Above I heard movement which was that of a Roe Deer. The short upright antler beast and I exchanged glances before it ascended away. I was to hear its barks latter, as it ventured up the gully ravine. Fox droppings, I had noted, were place as scent markers on the narrow rock face ledge. Despite the breeze and lack of sunlight a good dozen Meadow Browns were seen in flight. Both Hereford Cattle and the coastal ridge were gradually surrounded by mist. Atmospheric!