A stroll down to the cliff this morning, the sun reflecting on the water, producing a dazzling effect, through which a Cormorant was flying, it also edged in silver making it twinkle as it skimmed the water.
Only two Guillemots spotted today, both on the water just below their breeding ledges, the ledges are now completely empty, the last chicks having left yesterday evening.
On a rock ledge, a single Herring Gull chick could be seen, a pathetic plaintive cry being made as an adult passed by, if it hadn’t been so noisy, I probably would not have spotted this well camouflaged chick.
The same could be said for the Peregrine Falcons, a chick was yelling from its perch while an adult was sweeping in and out and round.
The flitting of butterflies catching the eye, from the small brown Lulworth Skipper buzzing amongst the Tor Grass stems, the dappled black and white (or brown and cream) Marbled White (which look superb when landing on the purple Knapweed) and a brightly coloured almost orange Comma and Dark-green Fritillary.
The coastal flowers to admire include Teasels, with the flower only a ring around the head, Prickly Sow Thistle, Ploughman’s Spikenard and our very own Durlston Sea-lavender.
A white swathe of Wild Carrot across the downs whilst crawling low across the ground the pink Wild Thyme flowers.
A family of Stonechats ‘chatting’ as they flit between patches of Wild Clematis, whose pale yellow flowers are now in bloom. The loud call of a Wren alerted me to this small bird blasting forth from the dull pink of the Hemp Agrimony.
Over the pond Swallows were to be seen swooping, while a Common Blue Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly and Broad Bodied-chaser were all to be noted