I was pleasantly surprised to see a Roe Deer wondering down Queens Road, on my way in this morning.
Upon arrival at Durlston, the Woodpigeons coos and Blackbirds sing, as the morning sunlight beats down on the park. Crickets whirr from the verges where a fantastic showing of Pyramidal Orchids are on display. Agrimony has sprouted its grippy seeds (ready to stick to your shoelaces), and Crow Garlic droops from the weight of their large onion-scented bulbils. A colourful display of Knapweed attracts Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Common Carder Bee, and Small Skipper butterfly.
A variety of butterflies are spotted on my approach to the meadows; Red Admiral, Marbled White, and Meadow Brown. Also a Silver-Y Moth identified by it’s ‘Y’ white shaped marking on it’s wing. Many of them flutter around the hedges where Bramble has flowered, but also across the grasslands; around Red Bartsia, Common Restharrow, Wild Carrot, and Thyme.
It's a lovely clear sunny day with a stark contrast between the bright white-painted walls of the Lighthouse, to the rich-blue sea beyond. A Kestrel screeches as it passes over the Mile Markers. In the distance, I hear Crows caw and the tinkling of Goldfinch.
Yet more Marbled Whites peruse the flowers along the clifftop. Teasel appears to be the flavour of the month. I spot a couple of them mating, flying awkwardly at the mercy of the winds whilst trying to stay interlocked together.
Numbers dwindle on the Guillemot ledge as many chicks have fledged and two chicks have been recorded being predated by Ravens. A Peregrine patrols westward as I lookout from the Observation viewpoint.
Ascending the slope next to the Castle, I’m treated to a close encounter with a Jay. The bird floats through the Holm Oaks just meters away from me. It occasionally stops on a tree where I can appreciate it’s iridescent blue feathers and dark black moustache - very on trend for 2023.