Lulworth Skippers on a Trip to Dorset

Sunday 18th June saw us heading off to Dorset to stay for a few days with my sister and brother-in-law who have recently moved there. They had given us a voucher for a boat and train trip from Poole to Corfe Castle as a Christmas present last year and it was duly redeemed for use while we were there and we kept our fingers crossed that the weather would behave itself on the day.

We stopped off at Maiden Castle on the drive to their house but the weather had changed and while it was warm and humid it was overcast and breezy. Maiden Castle was as stunning as always and despite the conditions I managed to see a few Marbled White, Small Heath and Meadow Brown flitting about along with a Mother Shipton and a few Six Spot Burnet.

Six Spot Burnet

Mother Shipton

A Whitethroat was heard singing, a Buzzard soared overhead, a flock of around 50 Linnet were feeding in the grass and a Hare ran across a bare field but the highlight were around 4 Corn Buntings which gave some great views perched up on fence posts and singing away.

Corn Bunting

Monday 19th June started off cloudy and breezy but it soon cleared and the winds eased and it became another hot and sunny day as we drove to Poole to catch the boat to Swanage for the first leg of our day out. It was a smooth trip despite the wind and we enjoyed the views of Brownsea Island, Studland Bay and Old Harry Rocks as we sailed to Swanage while I watched Common Terns, Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls along the way.

Old Harry Rocks

We arrived at Swanage and walked up to nearby Durlston Country Park for a look about. As we walked along the clifftop path towards the lighthouse there were plenty of butterflies flitting about and I easily found Lulworth Skippers along with Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Small Skippers, Large Skippers and a male Common Blue. The hot sunshine meant the butterflies were very flitty and they mostly settled on the vegetation with their wings closed but I managed to get some decent views of the Lulworth Skippers upperwings at times when their diagnostic golden crescent of rays were clearly seen.

Lulworth Skipper

Lulworth Skipper

Lulworth Skipper

Lulworth Skipper

Lulworth Skipper

Lulworth Skipper

The sounds and smells of a sea bird breeding colony were very obvious along the walk and I had some good views of Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmars.

Razorbill

We only had a short time at Durlston before we had to walk back to Swanage to catch the steam train to Corfe Castle and by this time it was very hot and sunny indeed but the short train ride was very enjoyable. Corfe Castle was as impressive as ever and while David looked around the castle I headed off to look for butterflies.

Corfe Castle

I easily found Lulworth Skippers in the car park where I first saw them back in 2017 and they were also present around the castle mound along with Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Small Skipper, a Small Tortoiseshell, Chimney Sweeper and a Burnet Companion.

Lulworth Skipper 

Lulworth Skipper

Lulworth Skipper 

Lulworth Skipper

A Ringlet was a year first as it flitted about around the flower beds at Corfe Castle station while we waited to catch the train back to Swanage and we had a quick (and expensive!) beer on Swanage sea front before catching the boat back to Poole but we had had a very enjoyable day out indeed.

We headed out to Badbury Rings on Tuesday 20th June for a walk, another impressive Iron Age Fort and absolutely heaving with wildlife due to its protected and undisturbed condition.

There were Pyramidal Orchids and Common Spotted Orchids everywhere and I also found a Butterfly Orchid which had unfortunately gone over.

Common Spotted Orchid

Common Spotted Orchid

Butterfly Orchid Sp.

There were loads of butterflies too with Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Small Skippers, Large Skippers and Small Heaths everywhere. A Painted Lady was also seen, my first of the year, but it dashed past all too quickly.

Marbled White

A Green Woodpecker, a male Kestrel, a briefly singing Garden Warbler, Whitethroats and Stonechats were also seen and 2 Chiffchaffs and a Yellowhammer were heard but the highlight again were around 5 Corn Buntings perched on fence posts and singing and flying around.

Corn Bunting

All too soon it was sadly time to head back to Plymouth but it had been a very enjoyable break away, just what we needed before preparing ourselves for Davids Mums funeral on Wednesday 21st June. Our boat and train trip had been great fun, it was lovely to catch up with family, the weather was good and I saw some interesting wildlife - perfect.

Morse