Dorset Walks

Friday April 27th       Durlston Country Park

Directions:
This walk will be concentrating on the very special limestone flora that is such an amazing sight at Durlston in spring. Walking north from the visitor centre one of the first plants we should see is the Early Spider Orchid, a species confined to a few sites in southern England.
The meadows here will be thick with Cowslips and many other flowers such as Green-winged Orchids, Early Purple Orchids and the strange Adderstongue Fern.
Apart from the flowers there should be plenty of birds to see with Peregrines breeding on the cliffs along with lots of Guillemots and Razorbills. There's always a few migrants about at this time of year as well, Durlston is one of the best places in Dorset to hear Nightingales - which sing at any time of the day when they're on migration. Rarities often turn up as well; Hoopoes are almost regular visitors in spring and even more exotic species from Europe such as Bee-eaters and Red-footed Falcons turning up occasionally.

You can check what is being seen at Durlston by reading their wildlife diary.