An early start today to cover the moth trap so preventing its contents from becoming a very convenient breakfast for the House Sparrows which have taken up residence in the eaves and swallow boxes on the centre. The first sight was the beautiful pink and green markings of the Elephant Hawkmoth nestled on the rough surface of the egg boxes.
Off on my walk accompanied by the yaffling of a Green Woodpecker and the squeaky call of the Bullfinch. Overhead a Swift headed southwards, whilst I passed a wonderful variety of wildlife including the tall Hemp Agrimony, its dull pink flower mostly now in full bloom, a little lower are clumps of Marjoram, umbels of Wild Carrot and the strong smelling yellow flowers of the Ladies Bedstraw, providing wafts of sweetness in many areas across Durlston.
A twittering from the Linnets scattered amongst the Gorse, the pink breasts of the adults still showing through duller than at the start of the breeding season. In places the Gorse was covered in a complete blanket of thin white web.
Fluttering up from the Greater Knapweed, Bristley Ox-tongue, Wild Parsnip and Hedge Bedstraw flowers were masses of Marbled Whites. The black and white ‘chess board’ markings all over the wings contrasting with the various browns of the Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers.
Lots of Lulworth Skippers alongside the brighter and slightly larger Small Skipper as well as a superb Ringlet which actually perched on the bright green leaves of Bindweed to show off its rings.
A Peacock butterfly landed on the top of a Teasel, whose flower ring was halfway down its head.
Lots of the orange Soldier Beetles spotted on the flowers, while from the grasses the sound and sights of Orthoptera. These included Field and Meadow Grasshoppers and Great Green, Dark and Speckled Bushcrickets, plus a species only discovered at Durlston in the last couple of years the Roesel’s Bushcricket.
Other moths included 4 species of Hawkmoth – Poplar, Privet, Small Elephant and the Elephant, plus a superb Lappet.