My first Wildlife Diary of 2026, and it’s a rather frosty one too, certainly the coldest diary walk I’ve done this winter with a minimum of -0.6 Celsius up here today, cold for Durlston! As I get my boots ready and take my binoculars, Wood Pigeons and Robins are heard singing away, and as I get walking Goldfinches are heard above me and a Crow is spotted in Long Meadow.
I get into the Pleasure Ground woodlands, here I hear Blue Tits singing away as well as Herring Gulls towards the coast. Looking outwards towards Durlston Bay, I notice the calmness beauty of the water – hardly any large waves, just ripples making it look more like the Mediterranean… Certainly didn’t feel like it mind! Walking on, within the pleasure grounds a Firecrest is heard up in the Holm Oaks, Jackdaws are spotted, a Cormorant is seen over the bay, Wren spotted up in Blackthorn and a Magpie is seen on top of the Castle.
Taking the Clifftop Trail, another Magpie is spotted, a Blackbird is heard singing away, growing Tamerisk is spotted as the beauty of the sunrise and the sound of the calm water hitting the cliffs gently relaxes the inner sole making one feel happy and chill inside. A couple of Wood Pigeons are spotted as well as red berries from Stinking Iris.
From the Viewpoint, Guillemots are spotted bobbling along on the calm water, Jackdaws glide around the cliffs as well as Herring Gulls and Pigeons. Many Cormorants can be spotted, a Black-backed Gull fly’s over the cliff, and what I initially thought excitingly was a Grey Seal turns out to be an ugly discoloured buoy!
Walking on, Blue Tits are heard amongst the Holm Oaks and leafless Sycamore/White Poplar to the right of me, many more Jackdaws are spotted, a Shag heading west, as well as a Robin and Guillemots in their cave. Heading up the Diagonal Path, European Gorse is dominant, another Robin spotted, a Long-tailed Tit goes from one Holm Oak to another, Great Tits are also seen, as well as a leafless Ash full of Ivy.
Happy New Year!