Lichens watch the world go by, stoic and unmoving
Their bodies and their way of life scarcely need improving
From swaying branch to rocky wall, it forms its living shroud
Some cower at wind or shiver in cold, but the lichen is ever unbowed
Last night as I returned to the park from a training course in Dorchester, I happened across a Roe Deer bounding along the entrance road in the dark, and later a Fox as I went past the Aviary Glade. There’s a whole other side to Durlston after the sun’s gone down.
Green Woodpeckers were calling out from all directions as I crossed the Car Park, intermingled with the two tone song of Great Tits, presumably reacting to the lengthening days. Heading into the Woodland I took some time to admire the healthy coating of Oakmoss on many of the trees. Lichens are so ubiquitous we barely even see them. Year in and year out they cling to rocks and tree bark, no matter what the elements throw at them. An admirably stubborn form of life if you ask me.
In the Woodlands I was delighted to see a fresh patch of Glistening Ink Cap popping out of a mossy log, this pretty pale brown fungi looking as if it had been lightly sprinkled with glitter. Further into the woods I also happened upon a new Mystery Fungi, soon to be identified.
The soundscape of the Woodlands was made up of Blackbirds, Robins, the heavy calls of Carrion Crows and the occasional raucous cries of Herring Gulls. With my ears on the birdlife, I kept my eyes scanning for fungi as I headed towards the cliffs.
Blue Tits were making good use of the Castle bird feeder, and a pair of Shags bobbed on the waves beyond the cliffs. At the recommendation of a fellow walker I kept a close eye out for Peregrine Falcons, and my search was soon rewarded. One was perched on the cliffs surprisingly close to the path and I managed to snap a reasonably good photo with my substandard camera. The falcon was sitting calmly, ignoring the Jackdaws that flew past it. I suppose it knows who rules the roost. At the Tilly Whim caves I was delighted to spy the tiny yellow spires of a Staghorn fungus. Beautiful.
I sped up in order to include the Gulley in my circuit and after five minutes of scanning I spotted a Chaffinch. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!