What a glorious day, not only is the sun out, sky blue and wildlife abounds but we (and most other cafes, visitor attractions etc) are able to reopen, we’ll just ask you to track & trace and wear a face covering when going into the Castle.
In the sunshine, laying in the grass was a Roe Deer, while nearby her tiny fawn (born yesterday morning) slept, the pale stripe and spots on its neck just visible. Please make sure your keep your dogs under very close control.
In the gully, the flitting of a Spotted Flycatcher caught my attention, the constant perch, flight, landing, flight movement fascinating to watch. The spotted neck and ringed eye seen as it faced me from its Apple branch, when moving to another and facing away the beautiful wing markings showed instead.
The wonderful scratchy song of a Common Whitethroat dominating the airwaves, these warblers often seen standing on the topmost twigs of Blackthorn, their white throat puffed out as they sing.
A flash of pink and twitter alerted me to a Linnet, which I watched until distracted by the loud yaffle of a Green Woodpecker, whose yellow rump was reflecting the sun’s rays.
On the bare earth a Dingy Skipper butterfly was basking, the brownish features well camouflaged initially, a Small Copper and a Speckled Wood were also seen, while the large furry body of a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee flew across landing amongst the blossom of the Hawthorn.
Flowers galore, with fields of Cowslips still looking amazing, on the downland slope of field 6 the Bulbous Buttercups are abundant with a scattering of Meadow Buttercups adding to the array.
Patches of Common Field Speedwell along some field edges, Self-Heal, Red Clover, Common Vetch and Crosswort just a few more of the flowers out now.
Yesterday afternoon reports of 2 Grey Seals in Durlston Bay.