On my arrival at the park, I head straight towards the Lighthouse Field to receive a delivery of Purbeck stone. The stone will soon be moved again, to a stretch of wall being rebuilt on the boundary with South Field. Much of the original stone here must have been removed at some point in it’s history, so it feels good to be restoring this historical feature of the landscape.
Once built, the wall will not only help us manage grazing the Hereford Cows and wildflower meadows, it will become home to a host of life; from Lichens, Mosses, and Ivy, to Slow worms, Mice, and Stoats. For now however, all that appears on the surrounding walls is a Carrion Crow which calls out into the breeze.
The bushes here are covered with bright-red fruit. Deep crimson haws adorn the Hawthorn, alongside the bright berries of Honeysuckle which clamber over the top. The first Blackberries are ripening, with juicy drupelets that appear fit to burst. Amongst the scrub, a Magpie clicks and churrs through an assortment of different calls before taking flight into a Sycamore tree.
My walk takes me down around Durlston Head where the paths have been scarred by a night of heavy rain. 17.4mm fell on Durlston during the storm yesterday. It was here I met a very aggressive white husky and it’s owner allowing the dog to lunge at me on it’s lead. – Please do report any incidents like this to the ranger team.
As I turned westward, the full strength of the wind was revealed. Seaweed has been churned up all along the coast, and humungous waves erupt at the cliffs by Tilly Whim. Jackdaws and Woodpigeons, and Swifts, swoop and dive almost uncontrollably as they battle the gusts. On the water, a Shag dives into the waves and disappears into the gloom.