The odd orange object, which from a distance may resemble a life raft, is in fact some kind of marker buoy. Many of us had already called the Coastguard!
Today I passed by Vipers Bugloss on Spyway, which I have yet to see at Durlston. A pair of Peregrine Falcon flew parallel to the upper coast path. Upon entering Durlston I found Gatekeepers basking on the east facing side of the boundary wall. Initially I heard then saw the Yellowhammer which was amongst scrub on the coastal downland. Both a Marbled White and a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee visited Greater Knapweed. A Teasel had its flower head nipped of by one of the cattle. Elsewhere the plant held petals, as did some Woolly Thistle. Ragwort joined the flowers, but I was happier to see Hedge Bedstraw, Wild Thyme and Rest Harrow beside the upper coast path. Gatekeepers visited Bramble flowers whilst a Six Spot Ladybird ambled nearby.
On the ridge the wind was heard passing through the sward. A Skylark called over the coastal slope despite cattle grazing. On the ridge descent towards the Lighthouse, I passed rather small and short Ox Eye Daisies that faced the sun. Clematis flowers showed both their four petals and “eyelashes”. Sycamore mast dangled beside horseshoe bridge. Agrimony was showing more seed pod burrs than flowers, one stem had a Garden Snail attached to it.
In the gully ravine both a female Holly Blue and a Lulworth Skipper benefited from some shelter.
Towards to gully mouth two male Stonechats called from either side. A calling Peregrine Falcon landed on the ladder of the lowest mile marker, as I listened to the wind passing through the structures.