My very slow walk through the park this morning was confirmed to why I was so hot when I recorded the weather; 8.45am and a temperature of 25 degrees, no wonder I was melting so early in the morning. Over the past 24 hours a record of 26.1 was recorded, the highest this year, although I think today may be even hotter, I am glad I am in the coolness of the castle.
Yesterday I was out again on a Grasshopper hunt finding 3 of the 4 species found at Durlston: Common Green Grasshopper, Meadow Grasshopper and Strip-Winged Grasshopper. I also carried out a butterfly survey for the ‘Big Butterfly Count’ which continues until 8th August. I did my survey in Durlston Castle Garden an area I know is not covered by our 4 Butterfly Transects, my count included 4 Marble White, 7 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Red Admiral and 2 Peacocks, there were also lots of large Skipper but these are not a species included for this particular survey, a good count for a small area.
In Smith field this morning Marbled Whites, Small and Large Skipper and Cinnabar moth were enjoying the large clumps of Tufted Vetch, Knapweed, Field Scabious and Wild Carrot. Along Long Meadow, which was incredibly warm, the hedgerow, particularly the pink/white flowers of Bramble were attracting many Gatekeeper butterflies, White-tailed and Buff-tailed Bumblebees along with many other flies, bees and insects.
In the meadow I spotted the lovely vivid fuchsia flower of Grass Vetchling amongst the masses of Agrimony. Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Large White and Cinnabar Moth also flew around the grasses. Along the hedge-line a beautiful Emperor Dragonfly flew overhead, and from within Chiffchaff sang its lovely song and a Wood Pigeon cooed.
Red Admirals flew around the Buddleia next to the castle, at which point I decided it was too hot to walk around Durlston Head and instead headed for the woodland. The incredibly welcome shade was a lovely excuse to stop and listen to the sound of Wren, Blue-tit and Chaffinch all singing from the dense leaf canopy.