Weather conditions looked favourable for today’s Durlston Dog Day!
Upon the Centre roof top there were a trio of House Sparrows. These birds can lay two to five eggs so perhaps this was the adults with the last juvenile to leave the nest.
Nearby fluttering amongst the Blackberry were Whitethroats. Many of the Bramble flowers had gone over and were beginning to form fruits. Climbing up a dry-stone wall Cleavers (Goosegrass) showed their fresh seed pod “sticky burrs”.
It can be too easy to take things for granted. The Skylarks have been part of the Durlston soundscape since March. Pairs can have three breeding attempts meaning we may hear their songs throughout July too! I heard at least six simultaneously singing!
It was a surprise to see a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in the upper gully exploring on the interface of the Meadows and Down-lands. Instead of perching on a substantial tree it was upon the dead branches of Hawthorn. It had a pale plumage and I suspected it were a Juvenile trying to find its own way. Amongst scrub it was away from the substantial tree trunks which might harbour beetle larvae, it usual prey.
It continued to be a good day for Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites with the later more prevalent in the down-land. A Speckled Wood appeared in the dappled shade near the pedestrian footbridge in the upper gully. Adjacent Stinking Iris had dishevelled flowers and bulbous stems suggesting pollination had been successful.
Meadow flowers varied from healthy to fading blooms depending upon the species and location. Pyramidal and Common Spotted Orchids were still to be enjoyed. The Dyers Green Weed looked like a Dwarf Broom and gave an excellent show in Johnston Meadow. Its name is unrelated to our Grazier, but to its use as a extract for fabric colouring.
Oxeye Daisies, Greater Knapweed, Red Bartsia, Restharrow, Black Medic, Greater Knapweed, Red & White Clover, Tufted Vetch, were amongst the many flowers showing. The striations of Grasshopper and Bush crickets had begun and would increase with the heat. A Wall Lizard emergence from its namesake to bask in the sun near the castle entrance.