A fantastic start to the year and a visit to the RSPB’s nature reserve at Leighton Moss. With plenty of rain over the festive season I was relieved to find a pair of wellies in the boot of the car. Not great for walking – Read More …
A little bit of bread and no cheese ……..
A fine start to the day with the unmistakeable song of a Yellowhammer singing close to Dancing Ledge quickly followed by a family of Stonechats. In the haymeadow surprising to see several stems of Common Broomrape. Normally as a parasite it’s fairly clear which is Read More …
To be, or not to be
I suspect this is an unusual hybrid between the Early Spider Orchid and the Bee Orchid. It didn’t appear to have any of the vigour typically associated with hybrids however on the thin soil on top of the sea cliffs the majority of plants appear Read More …
Running up that hill
With colonies now established widely along the channel coast there’s currently thought to be around 20,000 Wall Lizards in southern England. With the quarries dotted along the Jurassic Coast being exposed to the sun all day long and protected from severe frost the conditions are Read More …
Scratch Arse Ware
A few highlights from a stroll along Scratch Arse Ware to Seacombe Cliff. With a stiff breeze blowing in from the south-west despite the sunshine a bit cool in the more exposed areas. However, with Meghan in fine form chasing a ball soon warmed me Read More …
Higher Hyde Heath
An unmistakeable male Sand Lizard foraging for insects on the edge of Higher Hyde Heath. Outside of the mating season the green flanks are far more subdued. Interesting to note the remains of her old skin still in the process of being shed. Another female Read More …
Danse Macabre
Spanning the ages from the Jurassic to the amateur naturalists of the Victorian era and early 20th century the exhibition of curios inside the Square & Compass at Worth Matravers is almost as legendary as the Scrumpy, homemade pasties and Dorset Apple cake. 150 years Read More …
Somewhere over the rainbow
A slightly better day, the wind had dropped but still muggy. Off we headed to Chapman’s Pool. A steep and in place precarious walk down the slippery slopes of Kimmeridge Clay and towards the beach. Great to see somebody had thought of a way back Read More …
Durlston Country Park
Spot the bridled Guillemot ……………. great to see a small colony of auks nesting along the Jurassic Coast. Just a handful of Razorbills to be found and on this occasion no Puffins. However, the last remaining Puffins on the south coast can be found close Read More …