June 2014

What an exciting time of the year for the naturalist! For the botanist, this month offers so many flowers to feast-the-eyes-on. On the cliffs near Stair Hole and Dungy Head, the Thrift has been looking magnificent clinging to rocky outcrops.

Another impressive plant found on the cliffs is Wild Cabbage which appears locally abundant but is nationally rare. This Brassica has big leathery leaves and lemon-yellow flowers that bloom right through to September. Red Valerian thrives in the same areas and on walls; this pretty plant which flowers various shades of pink was introduced from the Mediterranean, and is clearly enjoying some of the warm weather we have been experiencing. Ox-eye Daisies are in their prime; Dungy Head and Durdle Door are hot-spots for these. 

Horseshoe Vetch is looking spectacular on chalk grassland sites, particularly on Bindon Hill; adding to the ‘yellows’ is Kidney Vetch with it’s fluffy flower heads. We have had reports of Adonis Blues on the wing; which relies solely on Horseshoe Vetch as its’ larval foodplant. Other species sited include Green Hairstreak (and abundant this year), Small and Common Blue, Small Heath and Lulworth Skipper. We have also had a report of a Dingy Skipper in the garden outside the Visitor Centre, though the Mother Shipton moth can easily be mistaken for a Dingy Skipper.

This year the Lesser Whitethroat’s song has been frequently heard. The south-side of Bindon Hill has been a regular spot for us. Their song is a very simple, repetitive ‘rattling’ and their call a harsh ‘tacking’. These are a common summer visitors, though not as common as the Whitethroat.

We have chosen Kidney Vetch for flower of the month, which is a very robust looking plant. When each flower dies it remains attractive with rusty-brown and hairy seed heads. This is the sole larval foodplant of Small Blue butterfly, one to look out for in June.