I was grateful that a volunteer had stepped in to do the 7am to 8am visitor surveys, who reported only one visitor. I was to record eight, amongst them Hamish who had seen a Fire Crest about the Dell. Infront of the castle I heard both a Raven and a Wren. A pair of Long Tailed Tits flew over the coast path just before the Play Trail entrance. A pair of Carrion Crows fled an Ash tree to fly down Long Meadow. Dogwood held fruits, I eventually found one Conker upon a Horse Chestnut, whilst Cherry Galls were upon an English Oak and acorns upon another as a Field Maple clung onto some masts.
Entering the woodland, the woodchip path wore a layer of wind-blown leaves. White fruits were upon the Snowberry bushes. Some woodchip had been washed out in a thin ravine by the rainfall. My first encounter with the restored Egyptian seat gave a clear view of the fresh replacement stone piece. Here a Wren trilled before I passed under Beech and Sycamore branches. I was glad to see the Hydrangeas had revived, no longer wilting, thanks to some watering and rainfall. White water was along the rocky shore of Durlston Bay with the sound of gently rolling boulders being heard. Near the shore some thirty unidentified Gulls drifted upon the sea. A Raven flew towards the castle over the undercliff, as Wild Bay Willow Herb still showed a few flowers back at ground level.
Where sunbeams pierced through the cloud, pools of light were reflected by the sea. A refreshing breeze greeted me as I rounded Durlston Head where I was to still sea Rock Samphire and Sea Aster in flower. White water and crashing waves met the base of the sea cliffs, a little spray landed upon Tilly Whim wave cut platform. Snuggled into the sea cliff were one Herring Gull and a Greater Black Backed Gull. Jackdaws were more active with a few sneeze-like calls. Another Greater Black Backed Gull sat on the edge of Tilly Whim wave cut platform. Heading up the diagonal path I noticed Wild Madder fruits amongst Gorse needle spines. In castle wood both Bay buds and firm fruits were upon the trees.