From the car park heading towards the copse I spot a Long-tailed Tit with its long tail in proportion to its small body perched on a Sycamore in an area recently cut back. On the other side of the road a beautiful large Field Maple with multiple stalks stands pretty. Walking on and into the copse, a Wren is spotted flying into the Holm Oak, whilst singing from Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits dominates the atmosphere, and calls from Robins and the odd Blue Tit is heard.
Walking onward taking the diagonal path direction I notice the leaflessness of the Sycamore trees, creating a view of the English Channel that is usually hidden during the summer months. As canopy woodland becomes scrubby European Gorse, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Brambles I stop to look out on to the English Channel, hearing the waves hit the cliffs and seeing the sea churning – at this point the air is still and feeling mild. Amongst the waves, the sound of Jackdaws surrounds me, as well as Robin calls and Crows, and within the scrub a Chaffinch is spotted. Further down, I notice lots of shells possibly from a species of Garden Snail, and a Greater Black-backed Gull is spotted towards the cliffs.
Exiting the diagonal path and taking the Clifftop trail, I spot a Crow fly out of Tilly Whim, leading to the caves Harts-tongue Fern and Stinking Iris can be spotted. Stopping further on, I spot the Guillemot cave – another day where the Guillemots in their non-breeding plumage roost, perhaps hiding from the adverse weather. A Herring Gull is spotted, and rain starts to fall.
Onwards, a purple flower from Stinking Iris is seen, and Dry-stone Wall’s with mosses and lichen. I spent some time looking out at Durlston Bay, at first I thought I could see something out their like a Bottlenose Dolphin or Bluefin tuna– instead it was patches of seaweed – less interesting, I even look out for Gannets, which I couldn’t spot.
Have a great Friday!