The gorgeous sight of a Bullfinch greeted me as I strolled across the car park. The flash of the white rump, the first indication, then the male perched in the branches of the Cherry Plum, his bright pink chest, grey back and black head just stunning to admire.
The loud cooing call of Wood Pigeons was the backdrop to the melodious Blackbird and Song Thrush who were both in good voice.
With barely a breath of wind (quite difference to recent days) the sea was flat calm, an upon it bobbed over 150 Guillemots plus 6 Razorbills, split into two long lines.
The waft of the sweet smell of Lady’s Bedstraw caught my nose, it seems like a good year for this yellow flower. The Hedge Bedstraw also blooming, adding a white colour to the scrub edges where the green flowers of Wood Sage are also in evidence.
Providing a carpet of dark pinky-purple over the short turf is Wild Thyme, alongside the off-white of both Eyebright and Squinancywort, while patches of Kidney Vetch and Bird’s-foot Trefoil add some yellow to the carpet.
A good morning for watching young birds, with Great Tit, Wren, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat and Stonechats. Meanwhile more birdsong from Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit and Skylark was filling the air.
A berry covered Tutsan spotted along the path while its close relative Perforate St John’s Wort has appeared amongst the grass.
Along the cliffs the yellow flowered Yellow-wort and bright pink Common Centaury is joined by both the Tufted Centaury and the Lesser Centaury, as well as Durlston Rock Sea-lavender and the Ploughman’s Spikenard.
Yesterday’s butterfly transect, was undertaken under a cover of mist, however 16 species recorded including 4 types of Skipper; Lulworth, Small, Large and Essex, also Meadow Brown and an explosion of Marbled Whites and Ringlets.