Durlston’s maximum wind gust was 50 miles per hour at 07:52 this morning. My patrol this morning needed to determine if we had any dangerous tree issues as a result of the wind. I went in search of window blown (felled) trees, broken branches / limbs, hung up detached branches and dangerous dead wood. Upon entering the coastal woodland I had a determine Red Admiral on the wing! Whilst I had some shelter from the wind under the tree cover I remained vigilant for falling branches! Ash appeared as our most proactive leaf shedder, whilst Hazel within the aviaries understory had less need to shed!
Autumn leaf fall is a method by which deciduous tree reduce their “sails” so to reduce the damage and stress from winter winds. Fortunately, I found only one relatively small hung up branch near “The Three Couples” bench. As I could not reach it with a stick my colleague will need to knock it out with a pole saw. Standing Dead Wych Elm stems stood proud beside the Brady bench.
Despite the gusting wind and rain shower there was life to be seen coming up the hay cut Long Meadow. A pair of Carrion Crow investigate the hay furrows. Overhead a Kestrel flew towards the Reservoir Copse, but appear again as what appeared to be some fifteen Fieldfare perhaps. A Green Woodpecker flew up from the meadow upon my approach, to disappear into the hedgerow. One lone House Martin appeared, whilst four then thirty Goldfinches passed the Learning Centre. Plenty of bird calls rang out about the Aviaries glade including Robins, Wrens, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Blackbird. Whilst a South Westerly wind hit me on beside Solent House a Magpie made spring like “boiiing” calls!
Whilst I took advantage of Durlston Bay views from varies bench viewpoints the most dramatic view was from the coast path landslip step looking across the bay the Durlston Head. From the location I saw the need for a some pruning prior to next weekend’s South West Coast Path Challenge event (public fundraising walk Durlston to South Haven Point 29/10/17). I noted to need to reinstate the aforementioned events banner on the approach road. Over the bay I saw some half dozen Greater Black Backed Gulls head towards the castle. I returned just in time to meet the Reading University Meteorologists whom were preparing for a 9:30 weather balloon launch. The branches of Hee Bee and Buddleia occasionally thrashed against the office wind perhaps seeking refuge!