Despite the weather forecast for no snow here, the low grey clouds looked as if they might deliver it regardless. At 6.9 Celsius we had the coldest maximum temperature so far this month and at 8 am we were only 0.4 Celsius above the minimum recorded.
Passing from Long Meadow through the Woodland to the coast path I disturbed Grey Squirrels, Woodpigeon, Robins and Blackbirds. From Rest & Admire I could just see Old Harry but moved on thanks to the freezing cold breeze. Pale amber Elm leaves contrasted with the constant green of Holm Oak. A trio of Carrion Crows set up from the timeline then a Wren scampered mouselike into cover. Montbretia leaves and pale-dry Hydrangea flower heads indicated the garden landscape of the Dell.
I walked upon the smooth, recently revitalised coast path surface “round the head”. Of course, the wide hit me at the head but not before I noticed two Shag departing in low flight out to sea. Near the Globe a solitary Greater Periwinkle flower presented a splash of blue. I had to wait to ensure that I had seen the subtle digital flash of the lamp from Anvil Point Lighthouse. Happily a Dunnock pecked at the limestone coast path surface only metre ahead of me. Only the sounds of Jackdaws revealed that the birds were near the Observation Point.
Off the Dolphin hut one pot marker buoy briefly was studied in case it was a Seal. A thirds Shag flew east as a Herring Gull settled down close to the sea at Durlston Head. Teasel heads wobbled in the breeze before I disturbed some thirty Feral Doves that had been content roosting upon the gully mouth bedrock steps. Oddly their U-turn flight brought some to land even closer to me!
Upon a batch of exposed clay between the narrow ledge upon the gully rock face, were Roe Deer slots that I followed. It was cold a quiet apart from occasional bird calls and the lapping of waves.
Climbed “off-piste” up the downland slop I passed remnant flowers of Knapweed, Corky Fruited Water Dropwort, Ox Eye Daisy and Hawkbit. The leaves of Agrimony climbed towards the branches of Blackthorn.
Today’s advice: avoid losing a glove today.