Swanage had a dramatic night of wind and rain with Durlston having 26.7mm of rainfall and a maximum gust of 55 mph Southerly wind at 2:05am! .Swanage parade was closed as debris had covered it and parts of the High Street in Seaweed, sand shingle and pebbles. Durlston’s nearest neighbour, off Lighthouse Rd, had a couple of metres of drystone wall down presumably due to the wind having shaken the adjacent Sycamore. As I removed an eight foot branch from the approach road I decided I aught walk the tree lined paths to inspect for damage!
On arrival at the centre a broken moth trap bulb and sodden egg boxes suggested we should have brought this device in earlier! Reservoir Copse sheltered Wood Pigeons, a Magpie and a pair of Carrion Crow. Upon Long Meadow a Green Woodpecker flew close to the ground into cover. At the meadows lowest corner I thought I saw several leaf laden windblown branches, however, upon inspection these were the roughed leaved basal rosettes of a Borage or Comfrey. Nearby the pink flower of Red Clover gave some colour.
Whilst many deciduous trees have lost their leaves smaller specimens such as Elm, Ash and Sallow saplings amongst cover retained leaves. From the “Brady” bench I observed four surfer in Durlston Bay but no sea birds. In front of the bench a coppiced Wych Elm exhibited healthy regrowth which will soon need attention! On the coast path I saw my first of three Grey Squirrels the second being within the castle bird feeder taking nuts! Nearby a Great Tit awaited the mammal’s departure!
I hoped that the gales might have brought some Gannets close to shore but I observed only Greater Black Backed Gulls and Herring Gulls and one Cormorant off the cliffs. The Gulls were pirouetting and sweeping east to west above a brown (to me) foaming sea. Up to forty Jackdaw were noted with a Rock Dove being perched with them on the clifftop rock / sward interface. Tlliy Whim ledge possessed “rock puddles” as spray and foam occasionally crashed up to it. Whilst the waves were dramatic conditions did not permit the blow hole display. I briefly examined the gully until my eyes watered in the wind. Eight Carrion Crow were near the mile markers which vocalised the movement of the wind! From the Tamarisk a Robin appeared whilst yellow flowers remained on path side Gorse. Upon the diagonal path the “Ryall” bench had blown over backwards. As I entered the tree cover a bent Blackthorn stem gave me hope to the formation of a natural arch.
I thanked the early dog walkers who I quizzed about damaged or windblown tree on their walks. I shall do a more though inspect later and check on the cattle. Please remember to close all gates.