Yet another warm and dry day, with wonderful clear views over water towards the Isle of White. Heading along Long Meadow footpath a Meadow Brown Butterfly flutters over the dry grass, its darker brown wings standing out against the straw yellow of the grass. A Horse Chestnut leaves are already curling in on themselves and turning brown, with conkers dangling down from the branches like Christmas tree ornaments.
Two Painted Lady Butterflies dance across the path ahead of me, one coming to land on the path closely opening and closing its wings to allow glimpse of its pretty wing markings. Bramble’s sag into the path under the weight of forming blackberries their clusters almost looking like a bunch of grapes.
A small butterfly flits past to fast to see before landing on a Bramble leaf where it opens its wings to reveal it’s a Small Copper. With mostly orange- or copper-coloured wings with black markings a bark brown border it’s a very stinking pretty butterfly. Poking out of the Brambles around the butterfly Willow Herb can be seen in flower its bright pink flowers contrasting against the dark green bramble leaves.
The soft twittering of Long Tailed Tits pulls my attention to the branches of a Dog Wood above my head. The small bird’s flit amongst the branches their long tails and doll-like faces poking out amongst the leaf cover.
Down to the aviary glade where the recent dry spell is really taking its toll on the Hydrangeas who all look desperate for a drink, leaves sagging and curling in on themselves, and the flowers gone over and looking rather crispy. Heading back up the coast path, cracks have started to form throughout the path as moister is stollen from the ground. Though the views out across to Old Harry and beyond are practically spectacular this morning.
A flock of about six Great Tits take it in turns to peck around the leaf litter under a Holm Oak, in pursuit of breakfast. Occasionally changing over and heading to the safety of the tree’s branches.
Heading back up past the castle people are starting to pour in for this morning RNLI themed park run. With the car park starting to fill up already.