28-07-15 Durlston Country Park, Dorset

A quiet morning mainly due to the strong, gusty wind keeping most passerines out of sight. A juvenile Common Cuckoo was most welcome although viewed briefly in flight at the meadow adjacent the old visitor centre.
At Tilly Whim a pair of Common Kestrel were busily hunting and were observed feeding their fledged young at the cliff face. Several Gannet were out at sea and two Sandwich Tern fished the bay below Durlston Castle. A full list of species observed as follows:-
European Shag, Northern Gannet, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Common Swift, Common Cuckoo, Rock Pipit, Feral Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern (2), Wren, European Robin, Common Blackbird, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow.

                                                     Common Kestrel (juvenile).

Although it was windy there were a few species of Butterfly present in more sheltered areas.

                                                             Marbled White.

                                                                Large Skipper.

Stockers Lake & Bury Lake

A morning visit to conduct a wetland bird survey provided the following species:-
Little Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe (17 inc 2 pairs noted with young), Great Cormorant (3), Little Egret (3), Grey Heron (7), Mute Swan (36), Greylag Goose (2), Canada Goose (32), Gadwall (26), Hybrid Duck (1), Mallard (22), Common Pochard (6), Tufted Duck (31), Common Moorhen (2), Eurasian Coot (243), Red Kite (1), Black-headed Gull (23 inc 2 pairs noted with young), Lesser Black-backed Gull (3), Herring Gull (1), Common Tern (15 inc several fledged young), Feral Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Common Swift (2), Common Kingfisher (3 inc pair feeding young at nest), Green Woodpecker (1), Barn Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail (2), Pied Wagtail (2), Wren, Dunnock, European Robin (juvenile), Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Treecreeper (2), Common Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow (pair with fledged young), House Sparrow, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Bullfinch.

Butterflies:-
Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Skipper, Small Copper.