Due to the amount of rain over the last few months, the landscape is looking unusually lush and verdant for August. As a result, Chalk Downland sites are still awash with colour so that we can enjoy them a little longer. Autumn Gentians are flowering, and on a tall stem this year, so easier to pick-out amongst the bright yellows, pinks, purples and whites. Wild Carrot and Yarrow are still looking fresh, along with Clustered Bellflowers, Common Restharrow, Hawkbits, Harebells, Devil’s-bit and Small Scabious, and Betony. Fleabane, a member of the Daisy family, is a pretty, late flowerer to enjoy. It has been a good year for Thistles; their seed heads now ready to be taken by the wind.
The first Grayling butterflies, with their amazing camouflage against stone or wood, have been seen on-route to Durdle Door on the limestone paths. Chalkhill blues still appear to be in abundance on Bindon Hill, and we enjoy them while we can. We will have to look-out for the second brood of Adonis blues which should be emerging soon.
We have been spoilt for Peregrine sightings at Dungy; noisy and active as ever chasing pigeons into the cliff-face for an evening feed. It is a lot quieter on the bird front, Swallows, Swifts, and House Martins will start to migrate over the next few months. At present, it is the Robin’s song most frequently heard in the morning, but a quieter and more mournful sound than in the spring.
We have chosen Devil’s-bit Scabious for the flower of the month with its many florets giving a pompom effect, and stands proud of many other plants on the hills.
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