A rather pleasant start to the morning, with the low sun sizzling through the clouds left over from daybreak, rich blue skies sweep across the landscape and a gentle Westerly blow skims across my face, cooling me down when in the shade. As I write this, looking out the office window a female Kestrel flies by, seemingly slow in its progression, its wing beats minimal, as it moves across my framed view of the park. Last nights moth trap at the Learning Centre has brought in lots of wonderful moths, including a beautiful majestic species, the Pine Hawk-moth, with its brownish-grey wings and pink and black striped body. Also spotted (I only had time for a brief scan) were 4 Magpie Moths and 3 Garden Tigers.
On the wing down along the Clifftop trail were a fantastic array of British Butterflies, starting with masses of Large Whites, which have been seen coming in across the Channel from France, as well as Small Whites. Down along the side of the Castle, resting on the Clemetis vitalba, were 2 fresh Ringlets, with deep colourings and undamaged wings. Slightly further along, past the headland, was a singular Wall, looking very tatty and beaten up, its wings having large tears and sections missing, more than likely battle scars from an incident with a bird! Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns sweep past and as I get to the Lighthouse Green, Small Coppers are in packs, darting around the bramble and Tamarisk. Upon stopping to observe the Small Coppers I feel movement on my right hand and upon inspection I observe a Grayling Butterfly, its proboscis tapping at the back of my hand. I then see more on the Diagonal path, resting on the path itself. These butterflies, the largest of our browns, never rest with their wings open, always snapping shut when landing. If spooked, it will raise its forewings, exposing its dark eyespots as a warning to predators. To add to the mornings butterfly count a Red Admiral powers past, uninterested in me and my new found butterfly friends that are swooping around me!