The Sun’s heat already intensely beats down on Durlston at 8am this morning. It has awoken a kaleidoscope of butterflies: Wall Brown, Small White, Brown Argus, and Common Blue all fluttering from flower to flower.
The sweet-scented Buddleia fills the air as I descend past the Castle, whilst the fiery Montbretia draw my eyes, standing out upon the top of the Dell. The lower slopes are speckled with pink blooms; magenta Fuchsia, rose Willowherb and the blush Hemp Agrimony. Fluffy Horsetails fill the gaps between, with splashes of emergent red Sorrel.
Light churrs heard from Blue Tits which flit through the bordering Holm Oak, a flash of mottled brown Dunnock, and high-pitched ‘tsee tsee tsee’ vocalised from a Firecrest somewhere out of view. Lastly, the melodic tunes from a Blackcap, always pleasing to the ears.
The sound of insects draw me into the old Caravan Terrace quarry ledge. I watch the Meadow Grasshoppers take flight as I step past, electric-green flanks and back legs which spring into action. My path is lined with the low-growing Common Restharrow decorated with its pink pea-like flowers. Behind it, the taller Red Bartsia, and some brilliant patches of Marjoram which attract a mass of Gatekeeper butterflies.
The coastal road continues down to Durlston head. Sun in my eyes as it reflects off the sea and white limestone path. Sound of water crashing upon the rocks below. Here, a Shag rides over the incoming waves, webbed feet visibly steady itself through the crystal-clear water. Every few seconds its bends it long neck down, plunging its yellow-patched bill into the water and scanning the depths below.
Further along the cliffs big waves crash into Tilly whim where some rogue large swells appear out of the blue. I enjoyed a flat-calm swim here at the weekend but definitely not possible today. Some screeching ensues in this direction, building louder and louder, until suddenly a Peregrine soars past me at speed. The audible second Peregrine soon follows in pursuit.