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.

JUNE IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER.

Another month begins as the year marches on,things are slowly changing as spring turns into summer,birdsong is diminished,fledgling birds are everywhere,trees are in full leaf,flowers are blooming and butterflies are coming into their own.

 MUTE SWAN FAMILY AT STODMARSH

 HITCHING A RIDE

 GARDEN WARBLER STODMARSH

 THE HOUSE MARTINS NEST IS COMPLETE.

 FOUR FLEDGLING BLACK REDSTARTS AT THE HOE

 PAINTED LADIES ARRIVING IN GOOD NUMBERS ON A BROAD FRONT

COPULATING ADDERS -MY LITTLE NEST OF VIPERS.

 CARRION CROWS a flock of 31 was seen in Fan Bay on Sunday morning.

 DISNEY MAGIC AT DOVER.

 YELLOWHAMMER

 MULLEIN MOTH CATERPILLARS

 COMMON TERNS AT STODMARSH

 WAIT FOR ME MUM-WATER RAIL CHICK CROSSING THE CHANNEL AT STODMARSH

 THE HUMBLE WOOD PIGEON

 REED WARBLER IN THE REEDS AT STODMARSH

 SEVERAL TURTLE DOVES HAVE MADE IT TO STODMARSH

 BURNET COMPANION A day flying moth.

 A COUPLE OK DUKES HANGING ON AT DENGE WOOD

 GREATER BUTTERFLY ORCHID

 THE LADIES ARE PAST THEIR BEST

 FRAGRANT ORCHIDS AT TEMPLE EWELL JUST STARTING.

 HORNED POPPIES ON SAMPHIRE HOE BEACH.

 MALE BLACK REDSTART still feeding the youngsters yesterday.

PYRAMID ORCHIDS AT THE HOE

 GOATSBEARD OR JACK GO TO BED AT NOON- A SINGLE PLANT AT THE HOE.

CAMOUFLAGE SUPREME-GALLIUM CARPET??

 DINGY SKIPPER

 LARGE SKIPPER

 BEE ORCHIDS -Just a few small specimens at the Hoe.

Sorry I just can`t resist the ADONIS BLUE.