This morning myself and Katie headed west, setting off for a walk through the meadows. Straight away in Saxon field, the pale-pink bloom of Common Spotted Orchids dotted throughout the field became apparent. We saw Hogweed and the less familiar Corky-fruited Water Dropwort named after its rigid flower heads when it goes to seed.
At the north-west end of the park we strolled down through the old quarry field to visit the first Bee Orchid of the year in flower which was spotted yesterday by our Wednesday volunteers as they were tidying up the land newly acquired as part of Durlston. Our attention was drawn to the sky where a Buzzard and a Carrion Crow fought over some disagreement!
Following last years abundance of these orchids in this field we searched on further to no avail. Instead finding yellow swathes of the Black Mustard flower amongst large patches of Bush Vetch. The distinctive call of a Stonechat heard in the scrub. On closer inspection these colours are further broken up by the small blue flowers of Pale Flax.
Further on into our walk, a widespread covering of Ox-eye daisies has spread across the grassland in Hogget Mead and a patch of Wild Clary growing on the edge of a stone filled quarr. In Centenary field bright pink patches of Sainfoin stood out amongst the yellow background of the familiar Bulbous Buttercup and Hay Rattle – an aptly named plant whose fruit is a dry capsule containing rattling seeds when ripe in the summer. Katie and Widget were quick to spot some species of Vole identified by its short tail.
Last night’s moth trap was fairly unsuccessful only capturing three moths; Heart and Dart, Treble Lines and a Small Square-spot. Luckily the plants of Durlston cannot hide anywhere in the chillier weather, so its been a fun morning finding out about all the different flowers currently out in the park!