The wet weather continues with just the light tweeting from a Robin to be heard over the wind whistling through the trees and the pitter patter of raindrops falling through the canopy. In the Reservoir Copse, a large Sycamore rocks with each gust, lifting it’s root plate from the muddy puddles, which ebb and flow in its wake.
Spring has sprung from the ground up around the Woodland. The arrow-shaped leaves of Wild Arum provide a fresh carpet of green, varied in part by swathes of Ivy, Winter Heliotrope, Three-cornered Leek, Celandine, and emerging Wild Garlic.
Adding to this tapestry of green shades; fresh sprigs of Dandelion, Herb Robert, and Wood Dock spread their leaves, ready to receive the Sun’s rays on a brighter day. Also, a scattering of lime-green Montbretia by the Pine Viewpoint, standing out amongst the dominant forest-green Stinking Iris.
Producing leaves early in the season, gives plants a boost to grow before tree leaves fill the canopy and block the sunlight. Amongst the ground-cover many spring bulbs also utilise this tactic – Daffodils, Snowdrops, Crocuses, Bluebells and Primroses can all be found below the barren canopy at Sunnydale right now.
Next, the understorey shrubs and smaller trees will begin to bud. The Laurels and St John’s Wort have already pushed out new leaves, whilst buds swell upon the Elder, Hazel, and Cherry. Amongst one thicket, a male Blackbird sits, framed by the surrounding branches, and a Wren calls from within.
Recent landslips scar the slopes of Durlston Bay. The saturated clay seeps down, churning out layers of Purbeck limestone and pooling in quagmire of mud just short of the beach. Just as I begin questioning my decision to stand so close to the edge, a Buzzard takes flight below me: wings outstretched to reveal its impressive wingspan, commanding my attention for just a few minutes more.