An extraordinary turn in the weather, glorious blue sky, a few fluffy white clouds and brilliant sunshine. Not just me basking in the brightness, but small birds and butterflies galore.
The sound of tinkling was coming from a patch of Greater Knapweeds as a group of Goldfinches took flight, alighting just a little further along in amongst more of these purple flowered hardheads.
Taking the opportunity to admire these colourful birds through binoculars I was greeted with four faces, each showing their two red cheek patches either side of the beak as they looking in my direction. The gold wings feathers only spotted when they flew.
Continuing the scanning I was captivated by a single patch of Blackthorn where Dunnock, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Common Whitethroat and Stonechat were all perched within, all in one binocular view!
Nearby an, flitting between an Elder and a patch of wildflowers (including Wild Carrot, Ragwort and Bristely Ox-tongue) were five more Common Whitethroats and two Lesser Whitethroats as well as two Willow Warblers, these birds either emerging or arriving after the poor weather (wet and windy) of the last few days.
Fluttering up from the long grass were Meadow Browns and some Gatekeepers, both of these brown butterflies numerous at this time of year.
A few Common Blues and a very tatty Adonis Blue also seen as they bathed in the warm sunlight, as did the Dorset speciality the Lulworth Skipper. A sudden flash of white and a Marbled White skimmed over the plants to arrive and perch on a Black Knapweed flower, providing a wonderful colour contrast of black and white on the deep purple flower.
The sudden of the air being torn was followed by the arrival of a Feral Pigeon, veering onto the cliffs, while a Kestrel was hovering nearby.
Another quick scan before heading for the woods and a Yellowhammer popped into view, the stunning yellow head of this male reflecting the sunshine.