I love Durlston early in the morning. It’s a calm day so I could hear someone’s voice from hundreds of meters away: But not a soul to be seen, despite the population of Swanage doubling in size for the Summer holidays. Just me, the Wrens, and the sound of a fishing trawler trundling along the coast.
I wander down to Dell; resplendent with flowers, purple and pink. Towering stems of the rose-pink Hemp Agrimony, swathes of magenta Willowherb flowers, and the nodding cones of indigo Buddleia.
These three plants, attract several Lepidoptera alongside our Visitor Centre. It’s been an especially good season for Painted Lady, Gatekeeper, and Dark Green Fritillary. But also day-flying moths, Jersey Tiger, Hummingbird-Hawk, and Six-spot Burnet.
I follow the white dusty track along the clifftop, grass baked-dry either side and decorated with pretty Bindweed. Marbled White and Wall Brown butterflies flutter between the Wild Carrot, and the loud hum of an Emperor Dragonfly, flashing electric blue as it soars past.
I miss the sound of the Guillemot trill, whom have all now headed with their chicks out to sea. However, there’s Shags, Woodpigeons, and Herring Gulls on patrol. Also, a brilliant view of a passing Greater Black-backed Gull gliding past at eye level – the largest species of Gull on Earth with a wingspan up to 170cm!
A sense relief as I enter step under the cool canopy of the woodland, Bramble stems hanging low above my head. Blackbirds ruffle through the leaf litter and a Robin watches on from a decaying log. Whistles from Great Tit, Blackcap, and more Wren, sound into a medley of birdsong. Brief notes from Goldfinch, and Spotted Flycatcher too.