A brighter morning than expected after last nights wind and rain, though the small reprieve in the cloud cover doesn’t last long. Driving in this morning I spot our entrance sign had been blown over after last nights 60mph wind.
I head down long meadow to suss the damage to the entrance sign and see if anything else in the woodland was affected by the wind. A Jay bursts from the hedge row and rushes over the field into the woodland. While another along with two Black Birds peck around in the grass to the side of the path, before spooking and flying off.
The flittering of small birds in the bare branches of a Black Thorn, two Chaffinch flit around before flying off and out of sight. Buds are swelling on the end of the Horse Chestnut, readying themselves for spring. The last few brown dried leaves of an Oak hang on to the branches for dear life quite impressive considering how many storms we have had.
Water rushes through the stream at the bottom of the woodland, the sound of rushing water is accompanied by the sound of waves dramatically crashing into the shore down in Durlston bay.
Heading back up through the woodland bright shinny red berries adorn the branches of a Japanese Laurel, the bright colour bringing some light to the dark woodland. Further along a male Bullfinch perch on a branch, chest puffed out and looking rather handsome.
With last nights heavy down poor, 17.5 mm of rain falling, its nice to see all the improvements we have made with the help of volunteers are working a treat.