Today's weather: Sunny and warm
As the morning began, the breeze was chill, pinking my cheeks. By contrast the sun warms my face, drawing me towards it, bringing a sense of contentment. Heard in the brambles are the calls of Chiffchaffs, Robins, a Crow, and Jackdaws. Permeating the air are the soft scents of damp grass, dirt, and the striking but indistinct aroma of growing things. In the carpark, Doug and I admire at the bright yellow stars of Lesser Celandines and the white Daisies edged in pink. We are stopped by one of the bird ringers, they have found Blackcaps, Green Woodpeckers, Hawfinch, Robins, and House Sparrows.
As we make our way along Long Meadow we glimpsed the mottled brown tiger stripes of a Dunnock, and listened to a Magpie call. Looking up I admire the new golden brown branches and the freshly opened tuffs, like white cotton on the Sycamore. A delightful colour pallet to contrast with the bright blue of the sky above. Nearby the Blackthorn and Willow are in flower, and Hawthorn freshly in bud. On a nearby bench we discover a rock painted with Piglet’s face!
In the woodlands, I spot the fluffy tail of a Grey Squirrel bounding about the undergrowth. Doug points out Rosy Crust fungus speckling a log. The sun coming through the trees is pleasantly warm, inducing feelings of languid calm as we watch it reflect off Durlston Bay. We listen to the varied calls of Chiffchaffs, a Crow, Blackbirds, and Magpies.
Coming around the castle, a Blackbird’s sweet song catches our attention, seeing its bright golden beak peeking from amongst the Holm Oak. A tiny Wren, its tail erect, flits amongst the Brambles of the Coast Path. As we walk, I admire the hard work done by our Wednesday Volunteers. The paths are clear, the trees trimmed, and the worst of the ivy removed from the walls. The Robins enjoy it too, hopping through the freshly cut braches.
Only one Guillemot can be seen this morning, but the Jackdaws are in great form. They dance through the sky, landing, taking off, reconfiguring themselves in ever changing patterns. They are a joy to watch. A Buff-tail Bumblebee and a Honeybee, take a short rest in their search for nectar. Last found on our journey today is a singular Hairy Violet, a pop of purple in the undergrowth of the Diagonal Path.