I started my day visiting a specimen of new tree species found at Durlston - a Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) growing at the back of the woodchip pile, brought in to surface our chip paths and play trail. It’s notably different to the only other pine species here, Austrian Black Pine (Pinus nigra) as it has longer thinner needles that are grouped in a clusters, or a fascicle of three needles, rather than two. Also completely different to the scaly leaves of Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa and Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana also found on the park.
Already six foot high, it grows under the protection of a thicket of Bramble, intertwined with Honeysuckle, and competing against similar-sized Willow shoots. Looking to the back of the woodchip pile I can also see Winter Heliotrope and Cyclamen which will also need to be removed.
Stepping into the woodland, Blue Tits and Great Tits were sounding a cacophony of different calls from the Blackthorn. The wind rushes through the Holm Oaks above, rustling the leaves and swaying the branches.
The sound of tumbling waves beckons me down the Diagonal path and towards Tilly Whim. Gannets dance high above the rolling swells and before the Sunrise through stratocumulus cloud.
The Guillemots are unphased by the messy sea state; rafting together and riding over the swells. Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, and Shag are all awakened by the winds; in their element, wings outstretched as they soar at great speed. Fulmar also on the wing, floating effortlessly to and from the cliffs.
More Gannet sighted from Durlston Head, probably some 40 in number, 500m offshore. Identified by their vast wingspan, black wing tips, and characteristic flight: Taking large beats of their lofty wings to make headway west, before spreading them wide, letting the wind carry them back in a loop. I watch a few dives too; steadily climbing in the air, before tucking their wings in tight and plummeting vertically into the sea.