As we observe the day of the State Funeral for Her Majesty the Queen, Durlston Castle will remain closed today.
Toilets are available at the Learning Centre.
In case of emergency, please contact the Rangers on 01929 424443 (07599 071169)
Today's Ranger Diary will be released tomorrow.
Although written on the day of the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II, this was not published until the following day.
Today my patrol began after recording the weather. I saw the first of three Red Admirals before reaching one dry water trough but fortunately the other was half full and still filling. Counting 32 (of 40) cattle and hearing no excessive vocals nor seeing escapees nearby I went believing the other beast to be simply out of sight. Over Skipworth meadow a Kestrel hovered observing potential prey below. I had gotten exceptionally close a Meadow Grasshopper, however, this due to its having lost a rear leg. Thyme and even short, stemmed Self Heal flower with a couple of small, short Ox Eye Daisies near the hay rake.
In the gully from a Wayfaring Tree and Great Tit chattered before flight. A Carrion Crow perched upon Hawthorn that wore Travellers Joy. A female Stonechat appeared and later a male also. Two Rabbit were seen near the gully rock face. Below the rock I was warmed by sun rays and the stones refection of them. A suspected female Bullfinch turned out to be a juvenile. Seemingly pecking at a Blackberry was an unidentified Warbler. I enjoy the light rustle of leaves and the lapping of the sea. I notice dry, crisp leaves upon the upper most Sycamore branches near the Lighthouse. I walked the path that a Winterbourne would flow over at some point this coming winter. At the gully mouth a Large White fluttered as a Raven called repeated “croak then honk”. Duck-like a Shag popped its head under the water as it floated beside and exposed ledge. Today the rockpools were not wave washed. Sea Aster flowers persisted even between coast path steps whilst, but a very few Golden Samphire flowers had not become seed heads. A Fluffy dry Dwarf Thistle flower head a nicotine like discoloration.
The sea cliffs, that I saw, were the domain of only Feral Doves and Jackdaws. However, I damselfly passed outside the Dolphin watch shelter. I now set off to cut the castle hay meadow whilst the building is closed.