Birds and butterflies stay in hiding
Trees and grass shake for all they’re worth
The elements show no sign of subsiding
Durlston quakes beneath the breath of the Earth
A windy morning with light rain falling continuously. The sky was a tad foreboding, but did contain some attractive altostratus clouds, looking like a freshly ploughed field. My hat blew off almost immediately after stepping outside, the first time of many today. The anemometer was spinning very enthusiastically atop the learning centre, a good indicator of things to come.
Brambles were in blossom to my right, with a little Honeysuckle to my left and a few Blackthorn bushes presenting their sloes. Last night at the monthly Friends of Durlston meeting we had an excellent talk from Katie Wilkinson of the DWT about how to make your garden more wildlife friendly. Berry carrying species are a great way to add natural bird feeders, and we are certainly not short of them at Durlston.
As I continued on, grasping my hat close, I noticed my path was lined either side by a row of Red Bartsia, Red Clover and Self Heal, almost as if I was walking along a red carpet. Durlston sure knows how to make a guy feel special. Beyond this lay the dry stone walls of the drove, clad in Ivy with small protrusions of Herb Robert. A flock of four Goldfinches chattered to each other from the shelter of a Hawthorn, its red berries on full display.
Up on the downlands I was nearly knocked flat by the full force of the wind. After retrieving my hat I headed off towards Lighthouse Field, noting with pleasure a few more Field Mushrooms that had appeared, as well as a Shaggy Ink Cap. Down by the Lighthouse itself a Rock Pipit was tossed over the wall by a gust of wind, and patches of Golden Samphire huddled in sheltered patched by the bottom of the Gulley. I think I’m going to follow their example today.