Starting off with a wander towards Durlston Castle to check on the clear up after yesterday’s wedding (during their ceremony Dolphins were reported as passing by!!)
On the way along the verge a gorgeous splash of Mock Orange flowers, plus the deep blue of Green Alkanet.
Taking the clifftop, a welcome breeze coming from the east, and on the water well over one hundred Guillemots, some twisting and turning having a wash, others just bobbing. The ledges above are crammed with birds, even more cramped now the chicks are getting bigger, as they move about more squabbles also taking place. In another week many will have already fledged and headed out to sea to grow and learn to fly.
Popping its head into view, was a Grey Seal, the large black head turning to face me, then away before plunging back underwater.
Drawing my eyes back to the cliffs 2 fluffy balls of grey caught my attention, as these chicks toddled alongside the white body of a Herring Gull.
Despite the dry conditions some of the wildflowers are looking wonderful, with the tall pink Pyramidal Orchids towering above the mats of Wild Thyme, while the low growing Eyebright, the brilliant yellow Biting Stonecrop and the all brown Carrot Broomrape (which looks a bit like a dead orchid!) add more complexity.
Tiny four petals flowers of Hedge Bedstraw covering the square stems, as are the yellow flowers of Lady’s Bedstraw – a delicate smell if you are close enough.
Perched on the top of a patch of Blackthorn was a family of Stonechats, while Linnets flitted nearby. Rambling across this scrub a Honeysuckle, the strange shaped flowers smelling gorgeous, as were the white petals of Dog Rose while a Bee was visiting the lilac flowers of Stinking Iris.
A few moths encountered, from the brightly coloured day flying red and black Cinnabar and Six-Spot Burnet moths to the exquisitely camouflaged Scorched Wing and Brussels Lace.