Gentle winds and mild climes are a pleasant scene to find
A morning walk at Durlston enriches both the body and mind
This is Douglas, and I’m back. I’ve been away for a while, but now I’m here to write a diary at Durlston. Setting out on foot towards the meadows, I passed an impressive seasonal buffet of berries from Bramble, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Elder. A Blue Tit darted in front of me, with a second watching on from the foliage. Continuing on, I entered South Field, closing the gate with a clatter and startling a Marbled White into an airborne retreat. The meadows had a liberal covering of Red Bartsia and Plantain, and overhead low cumulous clouds dotted the skies before a background of white waves of altostratus.
Saxon Field was a haven for Ox Eye Daises, with a healthy spread of Field Mushrooms, Wild Carrot and Wild Parsnip beyond. I set my sights on Centenary Meadow and continued on, admiring the scattered yellows of Medic at my feet and red rosehips on Dog Rose plants in the hedges. My father told me you can make itching powder out of rosehips, but I’ve never tried it. Honest.
A small troop of Garden Warblers briefly accompanied me as I approached Hogget Mead. Flitting from branch to branch, they dived in and out of hedgerows before scattering and heading off in various different directions. Probably off to do some warbling in some gardens or something. Field Scabious grew in profusion, with a few isolated Yellow-Wort trying to make a go of it.
Scanning the coastline by the lighthouse my eyes caught the sleek, powerful body of a bird of prey. Closer inspection with the aid of binoculars revealed it to be a Common Gull. Oops. Lighthouse field played host to a pair of Gatekeepers, and as I descended I caught the unmistakable sound of a pair of Kestrels. No error this time. The two birds alternated between perching, and short flying tussles. Along the Lighthouse Road were some delightfully pretty patches of Eyebright and a few Bittersweet Nightshade plants. A trio of Herring Gulls soared overhead, riding the air currents over the mile markers. After gaining a little height, they continued on their way. I returned to the Learning Centre feeling very calm and at peace. Durlston tends to have that effect