Saturday 24 May
Just the five of us present, including leader Julian Mosely of HOS for the walk along the cliffs at Durlston Park a mile south of Swanage. However, with my knees paying up and reaching the steep and rugged decline just before the lighthouse I chose to return and, collecting jenny made an early departure for Devizes to send the week end with middle son, grandchildren and great grand-children, hence the low bid count during the short period I was wit the group.
Woodpigeon and Blackbird as we made our way to the cliff top then a rest to check the rocks and sea below. Scores of Guillemots on the water and much flying between water and cliffs. The occasional Razorbill and Fulmar and even both a Shag and a handful of Cormorants.
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| Three Guillemots Uria aalge with a single Razorbill Alca torda (2nd from top) |
A pair of nesting Great Black-backed Gulls and a handful of Herring Gulls noted before finding a few Black-headed Gulls resting on the water.
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| Herring Gull Larus argentatus |
Whilst most of the Guillemots were either on the water or in flight, we did find a couple of nesting sites including one which appeared to be inside a small cave. One way to keep the rain off your back!
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| Guillemot Uria aalge breeding ledge |
Lots of Jackdaws making use of the cliffs plus the occasional overflying Carrion Crow and even a few Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) resting on the grassy banks. The return journey to the car park also produced a couple of Robin.
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| Guillemots Uria aalge |
Birds seen:
Fulmar, Shag, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Robin, Blackbird.
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