A dry and sunny start to the day, after some heavy rain overnight. A gusty westerly breeze sends the bright yellow leaves of Sycamore and Horse Chestnut cascading down from the canopy in the woodland, or rolls the dry brown leaves Holm Oak along the paths. Lots of extra work for our lovely Parkrun volunteers who were busy sweeping the path down to the Castle ready for this morning’s run!
Overhead, the sky is full of birds, grounded by last night’s wet and windy weather, with lots of Redwing on the move this morning – always nice to see, as most of their migration takes place at night, their presence given away by their calls, which are very much part of the nocturnal soundscape of Swanage in the winter months.
Hundreds of tinkling Goldfinches also on the move, the sunshine catching their crimson and gold plumage, along with many dozens of Starlings – not a particularly common sight at Durlston, with their distinctive triangular silhouettes. A couple of Swallows also passing overhead, through a brightening sky.
On the path down to the Observation Point, 5 Grey Squirrels scamper back and forth, picking up the acorns which have been blown down from the Holm Oaks overnight!
A Peregrine perches on an outcrop near the Observation Point, her feathers ruffled by the wind, with a few gleaming white Gannets passing by out at sea, along with Shag, Great Black-backed Gull and a noisy, squabbling gang of Jackdaws.
In the shelter of the Dell, a Red Admiral flutters around a Buddleia, while a Crab Apple is looking magnificent – it’s golden fruit reflecting the sunshine. On Caravan Terrace, Bullfinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Wrens are all out foraging.
A Kestrel hangs in the air above the Lighthouse Field, effortlessly controlling his position in the gusty wind with lazy folds of his wings, while below him a Roe Deer gallops up the slopes of the Gully.