A much fresher morning than of late, with the south westerly wind blowing across. As I gazed across the National Nature Reserve, the haymeadows have now been cut and baled, the large rolls dotted around some of the fields. Looking towards the coast the ground is brown and dry with less colour. On closer inspection however the purple flowers of Lesser and Greater Knapweed catch the eye, as does the strange gold of the Carline Thistles – which look dead even in full bloom.
A scan with the binoculars allows focussing in on the Autumn Ladies Tresses, this orchid, whose white flowers grow in a spiral up the grey green stem suddenly noticeable all across the area once I’d found the first one!
Low to the turf Burnet Saxifrage is flowering, while Wild Carrot, Yarrow and the odd splash of Upright Hedge Parsley add a white colouration to the vista.
Just outside the door was a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle, while the moth trap contained more insects including Brimstones, Sectaceous Hebrew Character, Straw Underwing, Oak Hook Tip, Green Carpet and Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing.
Fluttering in the wing was a Red Admiral butterfly, watched as it landed on the bright green leaves of Black Bryony. Barely able to make it off the ground was a Painted Lady butterfly, whilst Meadow Browns and Small Heaths were fairly common as I walked around the park.
Sheltering in an old quarry was an Adonis Blue, the vibrant blue making it easy to tell from the more lilac coloured Common and Holly Blues.
Hovering above the gully was a Kestrel, a magnificent bird to watch as it manoeuvred itself with the flutter of a feather.
Along the coast, the pale lilac of Sea Aster is standing alongside the brilliant Golden Samphire, whose dark green leaves provide a very different colour to the cliffscape.