Am I just a visitor?
Or do I now belong?
Things were strange to me before
Like an unfamiliar song
Now I know the song so well
The singers close as kin
This is the place where singers dwell
Will they let me join in?
I approached through the Woodland this morning, the whole place bursting with life. Ramsons and Three Cornered Leek had their white flowers on display and this year’s crop of Lords and Ladies were flashing their Spadix’s to the world. Bluebells were scattered among the understory, with a Speckled Wood or two fluttering around in the air.
Passing the Learning Centre I could immediately discern the distant broadcast of Skylark FM. It’s long been seen as the sound of British summer, and long may it continue. Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches also chimed in, with a profusion of Whitethroats perching atop patches of thorny scrub. I saw a Rabbit skip across the meadow past a Wayfaring Tree, so named because it commonly grew alongside roads and tracks, especially on limestone soils. A fine companion to see me along on my travels.
Small White butterflies were also fluttering about in the sunshine, attired very sensibly considering the heat. Ground Ivy flowers lined the pathways and out in the meadows there were Dandelions to tell the hours that never are told again. Our Early Purple Orchids are still putting on a fine display, but if an air show is more to your taste then take a moment to admire the clouds of Hoverflies at Durlston, you really can’t miss them.
Rounding out my trip I ventured down Lighthouse Green to the Tilly Whim Caves. Chalk Milkwort was sprouting on the Downlands, with pink Thrift flowers emerging along the Clifftop path. A few Swallows flew overhead as I made my way back amidst the morning chorus of birdsong. Once the sounds were very alien to me, but I can pick out quite a few familiar calls now. It makes me feel more at home here.