Glorious early morning here on the National Nature Reserve, with blue sky, wispy white clouds and the sound of Skylarks singing.
Perched on the aerial on the centre was a Swallow, a great chance to get a good look at this migrant, as it showed off its red neck and white front as it called to another swooping nearby.
On the nearby Sycamore a Goldfinch was also in full view, all reds, yellows, black, white and beige and the sun making it look gleaming.
Flowers galore in the meadows, with swathes of yellow from the large patches of Yellow Vetchling, Hop Trefoil, Rough Hawksbit and the oranges and yellows of Bird’s-foot Trefoil. In the Johnston Meadow the Dyer’s Greenweed looks superb, the vibrant yellow spikes against the dark green leaves.
Lots of Meadow Browns fluttering around the fields, occasionally landing to show off the eye spots on their wings. A scattering of Common Blues also in flight plus the odd Small Heath and Small Blue, while a Painted Lady arrived to bathe on a Greater Knapweed, this looking surprisingly large and in good condition.
The hedges a mass of flowers with Elderflowers, Honeysuckle and Dog Roses, plus the tall Hogweed and clambering up the plants Tufted Vetch, providing a lovely display of purple.
Collecting nectar from the yellow flower of Bristly Ox-tongue and Mouse-eared Hawkweed were the Thick-kneed Flower Beetle, the iridescent green of its body and legs catching the light. On other blooms some Solitary Bees also collecting, these had lumps of pollen on their legs.
Families of Common Whitethroats and Stonechats, along with Greenfinches, Robins and House Sparrows cheeped and fluttered, while the cackle of a Green Woodpecker made me turn and watch as it flew across the fields.
The grasses are looking splendid with Crested Dog’s Tail now opened out in its full glory.
A great report from a local watcher of Grey Seal in Durlston Bay.