Another frosty start with a minimum temperature -0.3 degrees Celsius recorded at Durlston overnight. I take care driving into our car parks for the white dusting which covers the roads. It continues along the footpaths and into the grass giving it a crunchy feel underfoot.
Setting out, I find a perfect winter scene - a Robin perched atop a frosted bench. It’s feathers plumped up to keep its body warm, and red-breast proudly on show. The clusters of white Viburnum flowers, that line the entrance road, add to the wintery-feel.
High above the park, a fantastic full moon is on display. Truthfully, just beginning to wane, having peaked over the weekend. We’ve enjoyed a few clear nights in a row, which made for quite the spectacle as it reflected a bright light which illuminated Durlston, and the surrounding calm sea.
With the sun not quite yet showing, I step through the dark woodland, shaded under the Holm Oak canopy. Though the barren trees I hear the Chaffinch chirps, churring Great Tit, tinkling Goldfinch, and the scurrying of a Grey Squirrel. All the while, the Woodpigeons coo, and the leafless Sycamore provides a break in the canopy where you can watch them pass overhead.
Golden Gorse blooms line my route to the cliff top with Blackbird and Dunnock, spotted flitting between the spiny branches. Pink skies above a impressive silhouette of the Isle of Wight in the horizon, with the Needles Lighthouse alight.
The water is calm, you can hear the patter of Guillemot wings as they take flight from the water. Their bodies just dark silhouettes. Instead you recognise each birds by their flight and call: Shags with long necks, lofty wings, and low grunt. Jackdaws squeaking as they take flight in unison, and the Guillemot’s characteristic gurgling trill. A Kestrel passes over me in silence, small straight body, with pointed wings, and long tail.