A still, grey start to the day, after a mild night, though a low sun makes Durlston Bay gleam like a mirror as I walk up through the brightening woodland.
On the woodland floor, the wrinkled leaves of Primroses are starting to appear, among the ferny leaves of Cow Parsley and intricate leaves of Herb Robert (a very delicate version of the classic ‘Geranium’ shape. Snowdrops and Daffodils are already in bloom, with more colour from the orange ‘starbust’ seedpods of Stinking Iris. Hazel catkins bob gently around the Aviary Glade, while nearby, Winter-flowering Cherry adds a spray of bright pink blossom.
Jays and Grey Squirrels are busy among the Holm Oak canopy, sending twigs and leaves tumbling down onto the paths as they wrench acorns from the branches.
Down below, Oystercatcher and Shag flap steadily across Durlston Bay.
The clifftop is bustling with a palpable sense of excitement as breeding season draws closer. Not quite Valentine’s Day yet, but Guillemots are already ‘loved up’, bobbing side by side with their partners, preening each other affectionately and growling softly to each other, as they re-establish their bonds after a winter apart.
14 Razorbills among the ‘bazaar’ of Guillemots, in smart black and white (showing off the chocolate brown of the Guillemots when seen side by side) – numbers of Razorbills seem to be on the increase here, both in winter and in breeding season.
Above them, Fulmars cackle and swoop, with tawny Rock Pipits skittering along the clifftop, though none heard in song just yet.
A Raven accompanies me along much of the clifftop walk – her calls unusually trilling and musical – very different to their usual harsh ‘cronk’.
A Kestrel hovers above the Gully, scanning for prey, carefully tilting her wings and tail to remain balanced on the breeze.
Signs of spring are starting to appear on the short downland turf, with a patch of Common Daisies an unexpected find in a sheltered hollow, while the leaf rosettes of Early Spider Orchids are also appearing.