The longest day shrouded in mist, as I enjoyed a stroll around the meadows where a glorious display of Ox-eye Daisies and Pale Flax awaited me. Scattered amongst the Common Spotted Orchids (not their best year) and patches of Sainfoin.
Fluttering above the two-tone brown Meadow Brown butterflies and some black and white Marbled White butterflies.
A different selection of flowers on the downland, where the grass is generally a bit shorter and more sparse allowing the lower growing plants to thrive. The small carpets of pink Wild Thyme joined in places by the white Eyebright and the slightly pink-tinged Squinancywort.
As I was on my haunches admiring the flowers, a Lulworth Skipper was taking respite on the stem of a Salad Burnet, thus enabling a really good look at its hairy body and gingery-brown colour as well as the pale crescentish shape on its wing. Often when seen they look like a small dirty brown whirr of wings!!
Flitting up from the ground was a Yellowhammer, a stunning yellow headed male, who then perched on the tops of a really close, flower-laden Dog Rose while I fumbled to take a picture – moving just as the shutter went – another photo of nothing!
Off to the cliffs where I emerged from the clouds into bright warm sunshine. The Guillemots were growling and gargling from the water and the ledges, the strong pungent whiff of guano very evident!
A Razorbill perched on a nook, perfect for a good view of the white stripe on its bill. Just above a bright yellow patch of Biting Stonecrop showed well.
A Fulmar soared along, the chunky body and straight wings a wonderful sight as was a hovering Kestrel.
A I returned to the centre I stopped to admire a gorgeous pink clump of 6 or 7 Pyramidal Orchids.
The moth trap included Buff Ermine, Heart & Club, Swift and Chinese Character (looks a bit like a small blob of bird poo!)