After some heavy showers last night (meaning that the Friends of Durlston summer BBQ became an indoor event, though a thoroughly successful one!), it’s shaping up to be a nice day!
Overhead Swallows and Swifts veer and swerve while above them, a dense mass of cloud is crumbling away to reveal patches of bright blue sky.
On a path through the woods, the newly hatched eggshell of a Woodpigeon catches my eye – these birds can lay many clutches of eggs, well into the winter.
Over Durlston Bay, a Buzzard wheels in lazy spirals with a Peregrine perched like a gargoyle on the tip of Durlston Head, and a Kestrel, minutely adjusting her wingtips to hang in the air above the Lighthouse.
Along the Diagonal Path, Stonechats ‘tick’ from among the Gorse, with a Dunnock shuffling through the undergrowth below.
Already plenty of butterflies on the wing, including Red Admirals, Peacocks and Large and Small White, feeding on the Buddleia just below the Castle. Speckled Woods dogfight on Caravan Terrace, with a Dark Green Fritillary gliding across the Gully.
Large, Small and Lulworth Skippers are on the wing, while in the meadows, there are still plenty of the stunning red and black Six-spot Burnet Moth, clustering around Knapweed flowers.
Hemp Agrimony is also attracting lots of butterflies, as well as red and black Soldier Beetles.
On the downs, Wild Parsnip, Red Bartsia, Yellow-wort, Centaury, Wild Carrot, Wild Thyme, Yarrow and Rough Hawkbit form a varied and colourful tapestry. The Woolly Thistles look magnificent at the moment – some almost as tall as me, with flower-heads as big as my fist!