Within the castle wildflower meadow there was the first Blue butterfly of the morning. Red Campion flowers although available to visit were of no interest to it! Only one of the four blues stopped long enough to be identified. However, its dark upper wing made it easier to confirm as a female Adonis Blue which had been seen near Horse Shoe Vetch flowers on the coast. Similarly a quartet of Speckled Wood put in appearance as well as one Wall seen by Katie. Two mating Bloody Nosed Beetles looked briefly like an Oil Beetle. The smaller male rode the female whilst a few Cardinal Beetles were in flight. Plenty of coastal “cuckoo spit” was encasing the Frog Hopper nymphs.
Long Meadow had plenty of Fleabane leaves confirm its wet nature. Beside the meadow Spindle trees showed simple four petal flowers which are rather plain in comparison to the pink fruits and orange seeds they will propagate. Undertaking the visitor observation survey route I ventured into the Aviaries Woodland cover and was delighted to still see both Ramson and Three Cornered Leek still in flower.
Both I and the Roe Deer Buck were surprised to meet each other upon the coast path near Durlston Head. Keeping my distance beside the Noon Bench, I observed the mammal scamper off, pause then step over the coastal drystone wall to disappear into the cover below on the coastal slope.
Goldfinches and Swallows were observed and heard in small numbers in a few locations. There was plenty of Blackbird activity and a Robin was seen with a small caterpillar in its beak. Up to four individual Fulmar were noted in flight off the sea cliffs. Around thirty Guillemots were spread out upon the water with two Razorbills confirmed.