Durlston benefits from a combination of geography, geology, history and careful management which has created a mosaic of nationally important wildlife habitats: sea-cliffs, downs, ancient meadows, hedgerows, woodland even dry-stone walls each with their characteristic plants and animals. 35 species of butterfly have been seen here.

For more info visit: Official Durlston website

Habitat and features

Limestone downland, scrub shelter, woodland, dry-stone walls, rocky shores and partly wooded cliffs.

What to see

Butterflies

• Adonis Blue
• Brown Argus
• Chalkhill Blue
• Common Blue
• Dark Green Fritillary
• Dingy Skipper
• Green Hairstreak
• Grizzled Skipper
• Holly Blue
• Large Skipper
• Lulworth Skipper
• Purple Hairstreak
• Small Blue
• Small Skipper

Moths

Oak Rustic, Oleander Hawk Moth, Six-spot Burnet, Elephant Hawk Moth, Beautiful Gothic, Grass Eggar, Yellow Belle, Mother Shipton, Silver Y

Other species

Swallow, Sand Martin, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Skylark, Bottlenose dolphins

Photo gallery

Click thumbnails to view full-size images.

Ownership

Dorset County Council