NOT FAR ENOUGH FROM THE MADDING CROWD

A couple of days in Dorset principally to see Marsh Fritillary,but the weather put paid to that so as compensation a trip to see Bill of the Portland persuasion landed me with good but brief views of the Great Spotted Cuckoo that has been there for a month or more,I did wonder if it could possibly be the same bird we saw in Namibia in March.

A GLOOMY PORTLAND BILL LIGHTHOUSE

 GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO

 MEADOW BROWN

FOUR SPOTTED MOTH

 FIVE SPOT BURNET AT CERNE ABBAS The Giant has had to be fenced off by the National Trust because of erosion and probably giant abuse-too cool for Marsh fritillaries here.

 WOOD TIGER lots at Lankham Bottom.

I did manage to find the LULWORTH SKIPPER  on Tuesday morning appropriately at Lulworth Cove when the sun came out for a short time-not the most preposessing of our butterflies but it was a new one for me.

 LULWORTH SKIPPER

 LULWORTH COVE

 ROCK FORMATION AT STAIR HOLE

 STAIR HOLE

 DURDLE DORE

 WATERSHIP DOWN ? no Lankham Bottom north of Dorchester.

LANKHAM BOTTOM sadly no marsh fritillaries,too late or too cool?

 WOOD LARK at THURSLEY HEATH was even treated to a song flight despite torrential showers.

SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHID

AN OMINOUS SKY AT THURSLEY did not disappoint and led to an awful drive home round the M25.