It’s a cold, overcast and windy morning, wet but the rain has nicely stopped ready for my diary walk. I was saddened to not hear the Song Thrush singing away as I change my shoes, but the sound of psithurism (sound of wind rushing through trees) is certainly present. I walk towards the Pleasure Ground Woodlands in Long Meadow a Blue Tit is seen withing the hedgerow to the right of me, and Goldfinches are heard singing away above me.
Into the Holm Oak coverage of the Pleasure Ground Woodlands, a Wood Pigeon is seen flying away. I stop to stare at Durlston Bay, oddly calm considering a storm has past, and although dull, still beautiful! Stinking Iris, Nettles, and Brambles are many as I walk along the path. I then look over another viewing area of Durlston Bay, looking past a Black Pine and over towards Peveril Point and Old Harry Rocks. Here I spot a Greater Black-backed Gull down below, and I hear a Great Tit singing away seemingly on Holm Oak that hangs on the cliff.
Passing the Solent Road entrance and the dominance of Winter Heliotrope, a Robin is seen singing away, Bamboo, Holly and Shield Ferns are present, as I spot a Wren flying from a Dry-stone Wall to a Holm Oak.
I stop at the Egyptian seat, to spot and listen for anything. Many Robins are singing away towards the Shed, a Wood Pigeon is perched on a leafless Sycamore, Herring Gulls can be heard calling in the distance, Garden Privet is seen in front of me with predominantly Ground Ivy below it, and a few Humans can be seen walking their Dogs on their Friday morning stroll.
Heading back towards the Learning Centre, I pass large Cypress trees, our beautiful veteran (likely ancient) Beech tree, Crows above, pale red capsules that are seeds from Evergreen Spindle. Via Long Meadow, I look at the hedges to my right: red wood from a leafless Dogwood, Brambles, Hawthorn, leafless Field Maple, also spotted was a Wren, Robin and Blue Tit. I also notice the abundance of beautiful lichen (unsure what species) growing on Blackthorn, as well mosses growing on what I believe is a leafless Field Maple.