Yet another warm dry glorious morning, its almost getting tedious now, didn’t think we would be bored of the sun six months ago when it wouldn’t stop raining! Looking out over Durlston bay from the woodland the water is a beautiful turquoise colour with only the slightest ripple disturbing the surface.
Heading down to Caravan Terrace where a large Buddleia is in full bloom the sweet scent of the flower filling the air. Butterflies’ wiz past almost two fast to see. A Small White flutters past as well as numerous Gate Keepers, which seem to have had an amazing year this. Fleabane can be seen along the back edge of the terrace its bright yellow flowers turned towards the sun. Hemp Agrimony is started to go over there once bright pink flowers now a dull brown.
Down on the cliffs six Shags can be seen on one of the rocks jutting out into the water. Two of which have their wings stretched out attempting to dry them off. Jackdaws kick up a fuss as two Herring Gulls pass quietly by, the smaller black birds squawking and rising from the Tamarisk there in as one.
Up the diagonal path, where a Painted Lady flutters past to rest and feed on a Greater Knapweed. It then seems to follow me up the hill for a while, crossing the path in front of me several times. A Marbled White Butterfly briefly makes an appearance before disappearing again.
Further up the hill the familiar “chiff chaff” call of a Chiffchaff fills the air as the bird’s flit amongst the branches on a Sycamore. The tree is laden with helicopter like seeds waiting to be taken away on the wind. In the cool of the woodland at the top of the hill, two Grey Squirrells chase each other round a large Ash Tree, though they slam on the breaks once they spot me below.