Now is an excellent time to visit Chesil Beach to see the flowers. The thrift are in full flower turning the turf areas around Ferrybridge a beautiful pink colour. On the edges of the turf areas are masses of sea campion in full flower. Mixed in with this are yellow banks of birds-foot trefoil and kidney vetch.

After the recent very warm spell of weather, the water in the Fleet has now reached 16.7C. The water out in Weymouth Bay has also warmed and reached 12.9C today.

After many weeks of poor underwater visibility due to heavy rain and strong winds, the visibility is now improving. There has also been a major increase in the number of fish on the camera. There are many two-spot gobies and a fair number of adult grey mullet. Also making a recent appearance are bass, ballen wrasse and a black-faced blenny. Above the camera pontoon there is now a large group of immature grey mullet, but so far they have not been seen on the camera.

Around the pontoon there are now large numbers of common gobies, and a steadily increasing number of shore crabs. As yet there are very few of the Palaemon elegans prawns.

The little terns are back. Up to 24 have been seen around the Ferrybridge area. The area on Chesil Beach where they usually nest has now been fenced off and they should start nesting in about two weeks time.

There are also a number of pairs of ringed plovers starting to nest on the beach.

The underwater camera is now showing that the two-spot gobies have returned in some numbers, along with the grey mullet. No corkwing wrasse have been seen yet though. The water temperature in the Fleet is now around 15C, while the water out in Weymouth Bay is only around 12C

The camera pontoon has suffered some damage from a boat impact in recent days but the underwater visibility has been too bad to fully assess the damage. The camera is still working well, but there is a slightly different view than the one we have been used to.

There are now large numbers of common gobies and shore crabs in the shallow water around the camera pontoon. The seaweeds are growing fast with a variety of greens and browns making the underwater environment very colourful at present.

The Portland pinks (thrift, Armeria maritima) are now approaching their best and the turfed areas along the Chesil and Hamm beaches between Ferrybridge and Portland have turned pink. This is a good time to come and see this wonderful display. Even better why not join our guided walk to see the thrift and other plants of the Chesil and Hamm beaches to be held next weekend. See the 'Whats On' pages for details.