I’m feeling a little envious of all the sailing yachts heading out past Anvil Point Lighthouse this morning. Though soon contented with panoramic of blue, and the soundscape filled with bird song.
Singing Blackcap, briefer notes from Greater Whitethroat and Robin, whilst a Greenfinch repeats its raspy wheeze from within the scrub. We seem to have moved past the peak intensity of golden Gorse blossom, though it’s still stunning display and lends its coconut scent into the breeze.
It’s calm at Tilly whim, crystal clear water rolling around the pink seaweed covered-rocks revealed by the low tide. Sea Thrift has flowered; the stems topped with pink pom poms shimmering in the breeze. In the usual spot, a Rock Pipit flutters between them and the persistent dead Teasel, and tweets it’s sharp high-pitched ‘tseep, tseep’. A flash of orange, as a Wall Brown butterfly passes along the wall.
Turning back East along the clifftop, the curious Guillemot trills can be heard as they bicker with one another for space. You can also hear repetitions of wing patter, where the rafting birds primp and preen themselves on the water. Over 400 birds are now gathered upon the two main ledges, with a full colony numbering over 1500 along the Purbeck coast. The birds have started laying their blue-green eggs which if you’re lucky can be spotted from our cliff camera disappearing in the Visitor Centre.
I head past the Castle and gathering amassing crowd of parkrun participants, and into the woodland. The Holm Oak leaves are now dying off and mottled brown. A stark contrast to the otherwise fresh green canopy of English Oak, Sycamore, and Willow. Just the delayed Ash to follow.
Many trees in flower and fruit too. I note the samaras upon the Wych Elm which appear as pale green rosettes. The candelabras which adorn the Horse Chestnut, clusters of creamy white Wayfaring umbels, and of course the Hawthorn’s mayflower.