A wild, windy start to the day, as a strong south-westerly wind roars through the canopy of Holm Oak and Sycamore in the woodland, sending sulphur yellow Sycamore leaves tumbling along the paths and ‘white horses’ galloping across Durlston Bay.
White Poplars sway and bend in the wind, flashing the silvery underside of their leaves, which give the tree it’s name, while in the hedgerows, Blackthorn and Hawthorn leaves are turning to a stunning palette of fiery orange and vivid pink. Silvery masses of Woodbine (or Old Man’s Beard) seeds cover the hedges, while among them, the crimson hips of Dog Rose, midnight blue Sloes and ropes of glossy red Bryony berries add more colour.
On the grassland below, some lovely patches of bright yellow Common Toadflax – the wild version of a Snapdragon are in full bloom – a plant which always delighted me as a child, as you can make the flowers ‘talk’ (come on one of my guided walks for a demo!). Also in still in bloom, Bristly Ox-tongue, a few flowers of Wild Carrot, Ragwort and Rough Hawkbit, providing nectar for late butterflies (though none on the wing this morning!).
Waves crash into the cliffs at Tilly Whim, sending spray high into the air. A Peregrine Falcon carves through the breeze above the clifftop on stiff, sickle-shaped wings. Out at sea, Shag, Great Black-backed Gull and a pair of gleaming white Gannets pass by. A few Rock Pipits, buffeted by the wind struggle their way through the clifftop vegetation.
In the meadows, a few piles of bright purple Badger poo show that they have been feasting on our crop of Blackberries. A few Bloody-nose and Devil’s Coach Horse Beetles waddle through the grass.