The park is quiet this morning with just the sound of Chiffchaffs chirping and Crickets whirring from the long grass. I can hear a Squirrels claw scratch the tarmac as it scampers across the path and a Robin jostling through the hedge.
At 8am it’s already shorts and t-shirt weather and the butterflies seem to agree - I spot Meadow Brown, Marbled White, and Gatekeeper fluttering between the pink Pyramidal Orchids and yellows of Agrimony, Bristly Ox-Tongue, and Birds foot Trefoil.
The dry weather has formed large fissures in the ground at Long Meadow where the clay has contracted and cracked. I can fit my hand in them and some are over a foot deep!
A dusty scattering of Holm Oak leaves line the coast-path through the woodland and it’s fringed by fresh blossoms on the Privet. It smells pretty incredible, along with the equally sweet-scented Honeysuckle and Mock Orange.
Common Carder Bees buzz as they fill their pollen baskets from the Hedge Woundwort. Little purple and yellow flowers intertwine up through the vegetation where the Bittersweet Nightshade is in bloom, and above, the first fruit have begin to form on the Apple and Damson.
More butterflies can be seen enjoying the grasslands around the Great Globe. I spot Large Skippers, Small Skippers, Lulworth Skippers, Large Whites and more Marbled Whites, all between a colourful array of Wild Carrot, Thyme, Common Restharrow, and Common Centaury.
Jackdaws scavenge along the edge of the clifftop, whilst Fulmar, Shag and Herring Gull patrol below. You can hear the Guillemots trill as they argue over space on the ledge, and also splash around whilst presuming themselves on the water.
Walking towards Tilly whim I’m followed by a friendly Meadow Pipit. I enjoy yet more Marbled White busying themselves across the Greater Knapweed. I love the contrast between these big purple flowers and the butterflies speckled black and white.