Despite a grey and drizzly start to the day, summer flowers have filled the park with an explosion of colour!
The ‘Dell’ alongside the Castle, restored as part of the Durlston Pleasure Grounds Project is looking especially fine. Dark pink Fuchsias rub shoulders with spikes of purple Buddleia, and pink and white “Codlins and Cream” or Greater Willowherb. Splashes of yellow Ragwort contrast with pale purple Hemp Agrimony and dark yellow Fleabane, making up a dazzling tapestry of colour.
This sheltered, south facing hollow is also brilliant for butterflies, with Red Admirals, Marbled Whites and Gatekeepers fluttering among the flowers despite the lack of sun.
Just over the bridge, on Caravan Terrace, the short turf is also looking lovely, with Wild Thyme and Wood Sage, Selfheal and a large patch of scented Marjoram (or Oregano). Amid a large stand of Hemp Agrimony, 2 albino plants, with St. John’s Wort covered with ripening orange berries.
Just ‘Round the Head’ a huge (but harmless) hoverfly Volucella zonaria whirs among the Tamarisk – a convincing Hornet mimic (though lacking a sting).
Rock Pipits dart around the clifftop, with a Cormorant on the water below, taking an extended morning bath as a Great Black-backed Gull watches from the cliffs.
Rock Samphire is in bloom along the clifftop walls, where Teasel heads are still dappled with lilac-coloured flowers.
At the edge of the path, a Great Green Bush Cricket perches on a Bramble – a female, she is almost the length of my index finger.
A big orange and black Wall butterfly flutters around the Dolphin Watch Hut, as a flock of Goldfinches chatter as they make their way along the verge.
Near Tilly Whim, the tranquillity is shattered by the screeching of a Peregrine Falcon.