It’s a beautiful sunny morning; all be it cold in some parts with just 9c as I drove around Wareham to get to work today! Starting the diary walk through the car park Psithurism (sound of the wind going through the trees) can be heard, as well as a Wood Pigeon. A hedgerow of Brambles, Blackthorn and Dogwood is walked past before heading into the darker Holm Oak predominant Pleasure Ground Woodlands.
Walking into the woodlands, the bright sun shines through a glade, even more blinding due to the reflection on the English Channel. Observed in the Glade is ground flora plants like Great Willowherb, an abundance of Fleabane, Ragwort, Hoary Ragwort, Creeping Thistle, Hemp-agrimony, and Bracken – providing better habitat biodiversity than overbearing Holm Oak predominant trees. Bird song can be heard from Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits, and a Wren.
Toward the castle entrance I head left onto the Coastal Path, droopy looking Horsetail is spotted, while down in the Dell Buddleia, a Palm tree and Harts-tongue Fern are seen. As I walk on past a couple of Ash trees, I notice the recent heavy rain has started to erode the path as well as the drainage humps designed to prevent the rain water from further eroding it – a job to get back to for sure!
Down in Durlston Bay at first I think I see a couple of seals chilling, but instead it is a person is snorkeling away. Back up on land Sow-thistle, Elderberries are seen on Elder, and Sea Aster blooms amongst the Tamerisk, while Goldfinches sing above.
On the Observation point, calm compared to early summer, Herring Gulls, Rock Pigeons, and Jackdaws are all I see from here, as well as the Rock Samphire blooming on the cliff edges. Walking on, I spot a Common Drone Fly on Ground Ivy, and then looking back down the cliff, an array of Herring Gulls surrounds an area where about three Shags are fishing away. I watch the Shags dive deep into the water while the odd Herring Gull dives toward a Shag as it’s about to surface – the Shags I think were rather annoyed with the Herring Gulls!
Further on, taking the Diagonal Path a beautiful Kestral is spotted hovering close by the mile tower, before using it as a resting place to watch out for its food.
Have a great Sunday!