A sunny warm morning perfect for butterfly spotting. Down in the dell Fuchsias and Mock Orange are in full bloom, looking even better after the volunteer’s hard work weeding the last few weeks. I wonder across the bridge to caravan terrace a rustle in the leaves catches my attention and I turn just in time to see a Wall Lizard scamper up the wall before it disappears into a crack.
The exposed limestone cliff / wall has lots of Red Valerian growing from it and butterflies busy themselves visiting the flowers. Small White and Meadow Brown Butterflies dance there way round the different flowers. On the ground Stinking Iris is in full flower and Ribwort Plantain is covered in Cuckoo Spit.
The cliffs are alive with bird life this morning, Guillemots hurrying in and out of the ledges, Fulmars swooping gracefully in and out of the cliff face and Jack Daws burst occasionally in small flocks from the cliffs. A large raft of Guillemots bobs about on the calm water below, it should be a great evening for the bird boat, they clean and preen themselves splashing about.
I get to just below the mile markers and decide to sit for a while to admire the view. While I do I watch lots of Lulworth, Small Skippers, and Meadow Brown Butterflies busying themselves fluttering from flower to flower in the short turf. Behind me the constant buzzing noise of Crickets emanates from the long turf the insects themselves elude me just out of sight, while even further in the distance the unmistakable song of Skylark can be heard.
I start the steep climb back up past the mile markers passing Pyramidal Orchids and Knapweed with Marbled White Butterflies perched just on top. Above the meadow at the top a Kestrel can be seen hunting, hovering high in the sky body perfectly still as its wings and tail do all the work.