Adders like to be left alone, that’s not asking too much
Their markings help achieve this by declaring “DO NOT TOUCH!”
The distant chatter of Jackdaws was the first sound I heard this morning as I set out towards the Clifftop Trail. The sky was clear and the sun warming as I crossed the Car Park, Wrens, Blackbirds and Chiffchaffs calling from the undergrowth around the perimeter. Blue Tits chirruped beside the timeline as I headed past, stopping for a moment to admire an impressive Red Cage Fungus. These fascinating fungi mimic the appearance and odour of rotting meat to attract flies to spread their spores. Kind of like a flowers evil twin.
A pair of Gannets circled high above Durlston bay. I watched them for a few minutes, hoping to catch them diving, but no such luck. Fishing is all about patience, or so I’m told. Large patches of Charlock were growing by the steps to the Great Globe, and Fulmars skirting the cliffs below, taking full advantage of the windy conditions to flap even less than usual.
A little further along I was admiring patches of Sea Campion and Thrift when I spotted a length of climbing rope draped over the wall along the cliff edge. To my surprise, it began to slither away into the Tamarisk covered bank beyond. At that point my brain finally registered the markings of an Adder, and issued a firm “Stay away from that thing” order to my body, which duly complied. The Adder went its way, and I went mine. All you have to do is respect their personal space.
Up on the Downlands, There was a good showing of butterflies, with Common Blue, Adonis Blue, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Meadow Brown all seen at various points. Robins and Chaffinches provided musical accompaniment to my return journey, with a Swift darting overhead and down into the gulley as I passed.