It’s low tide in Durlston bay, which reveals the rich marine habitat below the shore. Past the usual tideline the boulders of rock turn green, coated with a slimy layer of Gutweed. You have to watch your step. I find extra grip upon the exposed Limpets which clamp themselves tight to rock; preventing moisture loss under the heat of the Sun.
Towards the water, there’s more diversity of seaweeds; green Sea Lettuce, brown Serrated Wrack, and pink Coralweed, creating a mosaic of colour. Seaweed Flies gather upon the salty rocks, adorned with the Purple Topshells; their shells banded purple and green.
Fronds of Oarweed Kelp emerge from the waters surface, their stems and holdfasts too rigid to allow them to slump under the water. Tiny Fish moving between them.
It’s very relaxing just listening to water gently splashing around the rock, the occasional tweet from a Robin, and the scratchy call of a Sandwich Tern passing along the shore.
Back under the shade of the Holm Oaks the Woodpigeons coo, and repeated calls from a Coal Tit are also heard. Lesser Stag Beetle on the path. Theres a beautiful patch of Wild Marjoram in flower alongside the sunny steps which hums with insects.
A cloud of about 20 Gatekeepers take flight as I step up for a closer look at the Hoverflies and Bumblebees; Common Carder, Buff-tailed, and Common Drone Fly. A beautiful Dark Green Fritillary passes overhead, fluttering its massive lofty wings.
Large cracks have appeared across the top of Long Meadow where the dry clay soil has contracted. Not a drop of rain since June with the heatwave set to continue.
Wildfires started by camping stoves at Norden and Agglestone Rock over the weekend, remind us that that the countryside is a tinder box right now. The summer holidays have officially began!