Down to the cliffs to see the Guillemots, of which about 20 are hanging around the upper ledge protecting the last two remaining chicks from predation, a few more are on the water and another 45 on the lower ledge with 6 chicks and still 1 egg. For some reason they are very late leaving this year, over the last few seasons they have all disappeared by the beginning of July. So make the most of them, pop up to the Learning Centre to get great close-ups and watch them through the live camera.
Flying by at sea a number of Gannets, both gleaming white adults and brown juveniles, plus a string of 10 Scoter.
Over the edge of the clifftop 2 young Kestrels were perched precariously, their dull brown plumage blending in very well with the cliff and its vegetation. Overhead a smattering of Swallows and Sand Martins while a Willow Warbler indicates the start of southerly migration.
Buzzing across the long Tor Grass were the dull brown, rare Lulworth Skippers, while Meadow Brown, Marbles White, Small Heath and Wall were all also noted.
Rising from the flowers and grasses of the meadow was a Skylark, the beautiful song starting as soon as it emerged and continued as it fluttered upwards, another Skylark also joined in. Hopefully distracting the nearby Carrion Crows from any chicks remaining in the nests.
Looking across the fields a wide variety of yellows in bloom including Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Yellow Vetchling, Yellow Rattle, Rough Hawkbit, Ladies Bedstraw, Wild Parsnip and the tall spikes of Agrimony. Amongst this the purple flowers of Greater Knapweed, Lesser Knapweed, Tufted Vetch, Field Scabious, Small Scabious, Red Clover, Red Bartsia and Pyramidal Orchid showing magnificently.
The moth trap has attracted onto surrounding walls over 50 Brown-tail Moths, these hairy white moths should not be touched as the hairs can irritate the skin. Inside the trap 2 Privet Hawkmoths, 2 Elephant and 2 Small Elephant Hawkmoths, Buff Arches, Grey Dagger and a very fresh male Drinker among the many other species.
Easy to spot across the Park is the day-flying 6-Spot Burnet Moth, a whirr of red and black, while the papery yellowish cocoons can be spotted on the stems of the grasses.