With the breeze a lovely early morning for a stroll across Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, the sound on birds and insects accompanying my walk.
A glorious view of a Fox as it trotted across the path, from tall section of grasses into the Blackthorn hedgerow, the gingerish fur shining in the sunshine.
In the Elder (whose berries are now forming, hard green ball-bearings at the moment), a family of Common Whitethroats were flitting between the branches, calling to each other as they moved, the white neck marking flashing as they turned.
While admiring these some Stonechats stole my attention as they too popped up and down on the bushes, their knocking sound easy to identify.
In the distance the calling of a Yellowhammer, which after much searching was spotted standing on the very top spike of a Gorse bush. As I looked a few Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers emerged into view, most in various Hawthorns.
Far out to sea a gleaming white Gannet was gliding, skimming close to the blue water as it returned westwards.
The meadows are now a riot of white and purple, with splashes of yellows as the Wild Carrot and Greater Knapweed provide the backdrop and Agrimony, Ragwort and Bristly Ox-tongue amongst them.
On closer inspection Dyer’s Greenweed, Bird’s-foot trefoil, Hop Trefoil, Black Medick and Rough Hawkbit add more yellow and Reb Bartsia, Field Scabious and Selfheal some extra purple. Just magnificent!
A quick check that the Hereford cattle herd was content, as they grazed and chewed the cud, the calves a little more active than the mothers! Flitting in amongst their hooves was a Pied Wagtail.
Butterflies galore, including a Dark Green Fritillary, Common Blue and Large Skipper, while numerous Marbled Whites, Gatekeepers, Meadows Browns and Lulworth Skippers sighted.