Chaos on the Dorset roads this morning as Storm Chandra inundated the rivers of Purbeck, with nearly 30mm of rainfall recorded in Durlston’s weather station in the last twenty-four hours.
High on the limestone, the Country Park is markedly less saturated. Though wet, the weather has also been relatively warm, likely a catalyst in the profusion of English Daisies that have erupted from the Learning Centre lawns.
The Holm Oaks continue to roar in the sou’westerly, a susurrating soundtrack to the white horses dancing offshore. Descending to the Lighthouse track, a Wren rattles with displeasure at my appearance, while the pale undersides of Bramble leaves flicker out an unintelligible morse in the stiff breeze.
The benign temperatures have definitely provoked some early signs of spring, as I spot fresh green spears of Dandelion and teardrop leaves of Cleavers emerging from the sodden leaf litter.
A skeletal stand of Elder has been cut back by our hardworking volunteers, distinctive with its mottled bark and stark white pith, easily removed for the creation of rustic whistles and pencils.
The ever-strident Robins burble from the undergrowth as I head east towards the Castle. A glossy-black male Blackbird shoots overhead on clearly urgent business, while a Wood Pigeon clatters down to rest on the ‘cocks-and-hens’ of the drystone ahead.
Reaching the field gate on Lighthouse Road, English Ivy is slowly colonising the rough black of one of Durlston’s London bollards, the climber finding sufficient purchase in the pitted surface of the cast metal pillar to reach towards the sun and sky.
Sheltered from prevailing weather, the ground flora beneath the Holm Oaks is shining and damp, the Stinking Iris, Hart’s-tongue and Polypody Ferns barely stirred by the insistent wind.
A Grey Squirrel scuttles about, rifling through the leaves in search of cached nuts from the autumn, while above, Blue Tits bounce and flitter, while a Goldcrest picks its way through a Field Maple’s canopy with hungry intent.