First diary back from Germany, and as my car is in the garage, I walked all the way from the other side of Swanage to Durlston, with a red morning sky warning us of the rain to come. I entered through the alternative west gate walking down some steps and into a canopy of Holm Oaks and the large, beautiful Macrocarpa tree species to the right of me. I stand here for a moment, here I notice the steep topography behind the Macrocarpa with rocks and boulders around it. I listen out, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins can be heard singing away.
I walk onto the boardwalk/bridge and spot the mighty Castle and Durlston Bay, with the waves crashing on the bay (though probably not as rough as previous stormy days!). Here seen is European Gorse, amongst young Beech trees and other deciduous trees clearing the way to see Durlston. A Wren, Blue Tit, and Great Tit are spotted and a Wood Pigeon, as well as a Herring Gull, fly above me. I walk on pass stones mud and puddles under me and houses, flats and a long stone seat to the right of me. Once I pass the bridge with wooden post and rail fence and stream running under – I knew I reached Durlston Country Park ground.
Entering the Pleasure Grounds I was surrounded by sad-looking Ash (many with ivy all over them), and non-native bamboo, Laurel and Rhododendron as well as other flowering plants are established to allow for an aesthetically pleasing environment.
I decide to go into the aviaries where I spot Harts-Tongue Fern, Stinking Iris, Beech trees, Sycamore, Ground Ivy, and shoots from last years coppiced Hazel with many tops looking like they were once bitten off by a deer species.
Walking on pass the shed, I decide to go off the paths where I spot a Lords and Ladies plant starting to grow, an ancient or veteran Beech tree that looks like it was once coppiced and a wigwam under it, as well as an Oak monolith with King Alfred Cake fungus growing and other cool stuff.
After the long walk and up at the weather station near the Learning Centre, I notice the beautiful fluctuating sound of one of my favourite birds – The Song Thrush was singing away making my smile wide.