A fine morning with patches of blue sky and a light breeze, promising to turn into a beautiful day. I headed out into the meadows, my favourite place to be this time of year. The meadows are alive at the moment and hum with activity. A warm morning has encouraged many butterflies to take to the wing. Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns seem to have taken over the meadows at the moment, watch were you step-some are still emerging and rest on the paths. Flashes of red flutter past, telling me yet more Six-spot Burnet Moths have hatched out. They are busy searching for a partner currently, but can be frequently seen resting on Knapweed, Field Scabious and Tufted Vetch.
Heading out further into the park I spot the rump of a Roe Deer disappear into a thicket of Blackthorn. As I head towards the patch to see if I can get another glimpse, I am surprised to see how well developed the Sloe berries are despite the lack of rain recently. Swallows whizz above my head hunting for their breakfast and a Skylark hovers in the air singing its lovely song. Next I go to visit the cows who have already had their breakfast and are relaxing chewing their cud.
I scan the coastline and see a Shag flying low over the water, heading out to sea. As I wander back towards the lighthouse a Grayling catches my eye- very similar to our numerous meadow browns found on the park and yet different enough to make you take a second glance. I keep an eye out for any orchids and see a some in a variety of shades of pink in little clusters- Pyramidal Orchids still flowering in good numbers. Amazed as usual about the number of butterflies found in the meadows I admire a slightly ragged Painted Lady feeding on some greater knapweed. In contrast a tiny Lulworth Skipper feeds on some Selfheal nearby. I love the bright flashes of orange from the skippers as they zip from flower to flower but sometimes you can’t help think they look more like a moth than a butterfly!