I was grateful to have the morning patrol this morning with the ideal combination of sun and breeze. Of course, a bounty of blooms attracted insects in sheltered spots. The white rump of a Jay indicated that such a bird had flown high between the hedgerows to be fleetingly glimpsed as it pass over the entrance road. Upon disembarking from the car, it was a Magpie’s cackle that reached my ear.
Looking out to sea, the cloud formations above were such that there appeared to be islands in the sky! Today there was a clear view of the actual Isle of Wight. I reflected it is long since I had views of Portland from Durlston.
The mustard coloured flower clusters of Wild Parsnip were most obvious. Apparently, their roots are indeed edible but like many of the umbellifer family the sap from the stem can cause a nasty reaction upon the skin in sunlight. A thumb tip sized Buff Tailed Bumble Bee had been basking upon a dry clay patch upon the otherwise grassy path.
I was impressed by the determination of Tufted Vetch plants. Vivid pink/ blue “dreadlocks” of flowers were seen to occupy the path side from ground to shoulder height beside the scrub. Elsewhere this climbing pea had penetrated up through clumps of Blackberry such that it had flowered above its host’s own flowers. Wild Bay Willow herb demonstrated a similar behaviour.
One freshly emerged Six Spot Burnet moth was still docile and presumably was warming up before flying away from beside its grass blade cocoon. Thanks to the shade on the edge of the Small Copse I was able to get close to a sleepy Ringlet. Unlike the Meadow Brown this butterfly identification was confirmed by the white circles upon its underwings.
A flittering half dozen charm of Goldfinches that flew up the gully was the most memorable. A solo Swift was observed in silent flight. For a short while the hoppity hop of a Song Thrush upon a trampled grass path was most relaxing to observe. Of course, its relative the Blackbird was seen, as usual blurting out an alarm call upon taking to flight. It was another occasion for seeing a Dragonfly upon the dry limestone slopes. Its transparent wings glistened in the sunshine. Simple pleasures!