A quite wonderful sunrise, as the bright sun rose above the horizon turning the world (well Durlston at any rate) a deep pink, then gold. This wonderful display not lasting long, but followed by dramatic lighting was gold sunshine and dark grey clouds.
The dark form of a Black Rustic, the first of the moths spotted, this an extremely easy species to identify and belying the theory that moths are brown! The straight edges of the Angleshades moth contrast with the furry look to the Feathered Ranunculus, while Beaded Chestnut, Lunar Underwing and a Radford’s Flame Shoulder all nestled snuggly for the day amongst the egg boxes, add to the interest from the moth trap.
Down towards the lighthouse for a search for the Snow Bunting, reported a number of times over the last few days, but no luck for me, however instead a wonderful view of a Stonechat as it popped up from the Blackthorn to perch on the uppermost spikey twig.
Overhead the call of a Bullfinch, this bird highlighted by the sunshine as it landed on the Wild Pear tree, a puff of bright pink.
Soaring across the gully was a Kestrel, looking for a spot to halt and hover above the rough grassland, which it did eventually, which is always a superb sight to enjoy.
On the cliffs the Guillemots are once again in, having just returned from their off-season at sea, having spent the last few months recovering from breeding, and renewing their feathers.
Still a few flowers in bloom including the yellow Wild Parsnip and Bristly Ox-tongue, the purple Knapweed, the pink Centuary and the white of Wild Carrot and of Yarrow. Although alongside the flowers are numerous brown dead heads of these and more such as Woolly Thistle, Hogweed, Hemp Agrimony and Teasel. The Teasel attracting a flock of Goldfinches to descend, many of whom then moved amongst the other flowers and grass stems searching for food.