There’s a glade at the top of the woods which comes alive in the summer. You step through cool canopy of the Holm Oaks and onto a sunny ledge overlooking the sea.
There’s cheery pink Willowherb, and sunny yellow Bristly Ox-Tongue. Spiky-leaved Creeping Thistle, and soft fronds of Red Bartsia. More subtle are the warm tones of Red Sorrel. Hemp Agrimony towers above a carpet of Fleabane, with a border of blossoming Bramble hedge.
At this time the butterfly numbers peak, drawn to the abundance of nectar and emerging from their chrysalis on cue. A cloud of brown butterflies – Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, and Small Skipper. You have to look closely to spot the marking on the forewings of the Brown Argus. But it’s easier to recognise, the distinct wing shape or bright orange flutter of a Comma, Wall, or Dark Green Fritillary.
There’s also a decent showing of whites. Small White which will peak a little later in the season, Large White unmistakable when spotted with the former side by side. And of course the Marbled White which are everywhere across the downs, and possibly one of the prettiest to see.
Once you pause, you’ll start to notice the other critters moving through the undergrowth. The Red Soldier Beetle collecting pollen from atop the Wild Carrot, or the Meadow Grasshopper camouflaged against the Fleabane.
The soundscape is alive with the sound of such Grasshoppers, but listen for the gentle hum of various Flies and Hoverflies who take time visiting each flower and pollinating them as they do.
Just four Guillemot chicks remained on the ledge this morning, until one became breakfast for a Raven. Will they make it? Come a see them on what might be their final day, from the cliff camera at Durlston Castle.