A beautiful autumnal morning today. High clouds with a stunning bright orange red sun, lighting up the sky and casting a tinge of peach overhead. I decided on a walk in the woods, a chance to spend some time slowly absorbing the sights, smells, and sounds of autumn, my favourite season. As I approached at the top of Long Meadow I startled a Jay that took to the wing and hid amongst the branches of a gnarled Holm Oak. Walking through to the coast path I was met with a scene of overwhelming colour. Light danced on the waves, reflections of the sky above shining brilliantly, clouds plump and adorned in a fiery glow, and leaves falling in the breeze. A perfect day for that walk in the woods.
Looking out for some fungi found a few unknown species to look up. I did identify delicate Blushing Rosette, tucked down in amongst decaying leaves and wood. Still plenty of time for the majority of fungi to start sprouting their fruiting bodies.
In the canopy Blue Tits and Great Tits chattered away. Robins ticked and sang loudly and clearly from lower branches, and a solitary Shag sat out on the water in Durlston Bay ducking every now and then in search of a fish or two.
Light streamed through the trees to illuminate the ground, picking out the deep green of Ivy and fuzzy seeds of Clematis. I stopped for a moment to admire the work of the wallers. As I don’t often walk in the woods at the moment the walls have come along so much.
Down in Castle Wood were signs of Badgers along the path, their snuffle marks in the soil from the previous nights worm hunt. As I made my way back towards the learning centre the loud shrieking call of a Peregrine through the trees made me turn. I could make out a shadow in the gaps but no detail.
Autumn is underway with the joy of the earthy smells, the rich palette of colours, and the delight of crunching leaves underfoot.