October 2012

This is a transitional time of year as birds and butterflies migrate or come to the end of their lifecycle and we look to other species of interest. You might just catch another glimpse, but you never quite know if it will be your last this year. Late-flyers such as Adonis Blue, Grayling, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral butterflies can still be seen on calm days. The most surprising sighting, and the first record in this particular location, was a Small Pearl bordered Fritillary by the fish shop on the way down to The Cove. In previous years, small numbers of these have been recorded on Bindon Hill where their niche habitat requirements are met; damp, grassy vegetation where there their food plant Violets grow in abundance in a fairly lush sward.

On Bindon Hill near the army ranges one sunny day, we watched a pair of Dartford Warblers flying to and fro, reassuring as a pair have been seen here every year for the last few years. An autumn passage bird that can be seen in small numbers on eastern and southern coasts is the Wryneck. One has been seen on several occasions at Middlebere just outside Wareham, then a few weeks later just outside the Army Camp at West Lulworth. This mottled brown-buff coloured bird is more often seen on the ground feeding on ants than climbing tree trunks for its food. An Osprey was spotted flying over Newlands Farm in September as well as over the Army Ranges; these migrate to Africa in August/September.

One of the team saw an Adder in the long grass at Stair Hole, luckily before sitting down for lunch. She thought it was probably a juvenile as it appeared fairly small for an Adder. This may be the last sighting this year as they go into hibernation in October.

We have not mentioned flora in this article because few new flowers are appearing now, except Autumn Lady’s-tresses on the west-side of Bindon Hill and Scratchy Bottom. This delicate plant is a member of the Orchid family and its flowers are arranged on the stem in dense, spirally twisted spikes which appear to be barely open. The flowers are short-lived and last until the beginning of October, so a delight to see at the end of summer.

Lulworth Rangers