The sunlight breaks through the cloud. It alights the chalk white cliffs of Ballard Down and the stacks at Old Harry Rocks which rise up through the haze.
A Swift passes across my viewpoint, sharply turning left, then right, before a steep dive out of sight. All the while, a Robin’s gentle song emanates from the Black Pine which stands proudly past the seaward wall.
I step under the canopy of Holm Oaks in the next viewpoint: The path littered with their brown waxy leaves which fall through the Spring. From here I can see the waves roll into Durlston head, the whitewater engulfing the lower rocks and dispersing into the bay.
The Robin is still heard singing somewhere out of sight, I almost miss the Jay, a short glimpse of its bright blue feathers, watching on from the canopy above.
As sure as the Chiffchaffs call, up come the Horsetails, Bracken, and Pendulous Sedge. Flies hum upon the wrinkled Wood Sage. Hairy bottom, bulbous red eyes, and beautiful iridescent green tinge to its wings.
A Common Carder Bumblebee passes by, filling its pollen baskets from each flower. From the magenta Fuchsia to the bright yellow Dandelion, and pale pink Bramble.
The bird song builds in intensity towards Sunnydale where the trees grow taller and the flora more diverse. Impressively loud vocals emanate from the Blackcaps chest, competing with that of the fledging Great Tits who continuously whistle back and forth with their parents.
Loud caws from the Rookery above the Shed form a constant in the soundscape, whilst the Wrens ring stifles the soft Firecrest ‘tsee’.