Black and white wings flutter by, another natural marvel
When it lands wings furled
It looks for all the world
Like a sculpture made of marble
A few House Sparrows flitted between the Learning Centre and the surrounding undergrowth. Tendrils of Dog Rose and Bramble were reaching in to the pathway as I set off towards Large Copse. Gatekeepers and Ringlets were on the wing in Skipworth Meadow, with Meadow Bindweed flowers and Agrimony poking through the long grass.
Large Copse was heavily shaded. Ash trees were showing their green seeds or “keys” which will turn brown and drop in time, giving rise to the next generation. A small patch of Enchanters Nightshade huddled together on the forest floor.
Six-Spot Burnet moths were in abundance today. I spotted four feeding on one Field Scabious flower at once. A regular moth Tea party. As I headed towards Saxon field I heard a cacophony of gulls from Swanage town, and the more pleasant tones of Skylark FM up ahead.
Saxon field was full of Marbled Whites, with large Woolly Thistles standing obstinately beside Yellow Meadow Ant hills. On my way to Centenary Meadow a vivid flash of red and black heralded the arrival of a pair of Bullfinches, spiralling off into the distance.
Circling back over the gulley I returned to the Learning centre, surrounded by more Marbled Whites and Six-Spot Burnets. The air was thick with them.