The hours of daylight continue to grow longer, as the Earth’s orbit steadily favours Durlston towards the Sun. In response, the first Daffodils have bloomed in the Castle’s garden, whilst the white varieties at Sunnydale take a little longer under the woodland canopy.
Buds swell upon the Forsythia but are yet to yellow, just as the last few Spindle berries fall. On the tips of the Elder, little pinnate leaves have begun to unfold, adding a scattering of fresh green colour to the branches.
There’s movement from within the Reservoir Copse. I wonder if it could be a Roe Deer, who favour this quieter spot. But then quickly recognise it as the movement of a Blackbird picking its way through the leaf litter. High-pitched tweets from a Blue Tit, repeating a two-tone call.
More signs of spring at Caravan Terrace, with more Primrose bursting into flower. Lords of Ladies has also awoken en masse, with fresh leaves sprouting across the more shaded areas beneath the Holm Oak. Leaves have also appeared along the woody stems of Honeysuckle, which twists and turns its way through the scrub.
Below the salt-spray wall, the naturally evergreen Tamarisk suffers at this time of year. Growing much further North than it’s native Mediterranean territory, it drops its fluffy needles, but will bounce back in the Spring. Here, Holm Oak leaves also brown at the tips.
A lone Jackdaw occupies the Peregrine’s usual rocky perch. It watches over the flight of Herring Gull’s who soar on the thermals, and Woodpigeons which race at speed. Occasionally a Shag or two pass by, big beats of their impressive wingspans. Below, a flotilla of Guillemot raft together on the water. An line of white tummy feathers visible like plimsoll upon a ship.