On my arrival at the park, the dawn chorus was in full swing; Robins and Blackbirds singing along together, with backing vocals provided by the low repetitive coos from the Woodpigeons. A friendly Dunnock draws my eye to the hedge, and I find myself watching the raindrops drips down from the stems of Dogwood which have been dampened to a brilliant crimson-red.
I walk down past the Castle, pausing to enjoy the electric-green leaves of Montbretia by the Timeline, and golden-speckled leaves of the Spotted Laurel in the Dell. Great Tits, Blue Tits, and Magpies can be heard as I follow the Moss-clad walls to Durlston Head. The latter of which, sounding almost aggressive as it churred loudly from the scrub.
Views from the Head and through the Tamarisk have been revealed, though today only reaching as far as 6km to Old Harry Rocks. Along the cliffs, Guillemots can be seen flying to and from their ledge, Shags primp and preen themselves on the water, and Jackdaws float in circles above.
I decide to head back up into the woodland, and follow the stepping stones towards the log-lined path. A few of the Holm Oak logs have been stripped of their bark, revealing a coarse grain and ripe for growing Turkey-tail Fungus.
Beyond the logs, volunteers have laid out brash to keep people from straying the paths, and allowing vegetation to grow in the Spring. However, for now the ground is bare apart from the creeping Ivy and occasional Stinking Iris. A splash of colour can be found in the pretty pink and orange Spindle berries; this overgrown specimen appearing to clamber up a tree, with the weight of its branches leaning down on the trunk.