Upon down land and meadow it was colder in the path of the gusting wind. Whilst upon the coast path it was more sheltered and pleasant in the sun. I spied a lone Pied Wagtail about the car park. From the Hawthorn a Robin bleated whilst three Herring Gull passed over Long Meadow. From the Brady bench there were clear views across Durlston Bay, which was rougher than the coast to the south today. Whilst examining the health of our trees I discovered a redundant telegraph pole camouflaged in Ivy. Three Elms were noted as having become standing dead wood which will need be felled in time. Threads of spider silk were picked out by the sunlight spreading out on castle approach.
A score of Jackdaws flew about the castle, whilst I believed Durlston Bay to be bereft of sea birds. However, three Common Gull put in an appearance whilst eight Herring Gull flew over the sea surface.
At the observation point the second Magpie of the day put in an appearance. My cap was blown off by the wind whilst Harry’s benny hat remain on his head! Further off shore Herring Gulls were perhaps fishing over wave crests. With certainty I saw a Gannet which could not be mistaken thanks to its broad wing span and black wing tips. A trio of Greenfinches flew overland heading east. In the opposite direction a Jay set off from the goat plot Holm Oaks presumably transporting acorns out into our grassland! In the gully itself many leafless trees were devoid of colour, however, green was presented from the Yew, a few Holly and the Gorse of course! Eight Goldfinches flew east over the wares and as I climbed higher I was exposed to the wind again. All the trees in the small Copse swayed in the wind, whilst behind me I heard and then saw a Raven in flight.
The occasional Scabious flower was seen as was that of Cow Parsley whilst Gorse flowers were a little more prolific. Whilst the park was not inundated with wildlife it felt like a landscape worth exploring today!
Today's diary written by Paul