After eight months working at Durlston, spending the winter scrub clearing, cowing moving and hole digging to mention a few things, I am now eagerly awaiting the wild flowers. Over the last few weeks I have been frantically studying our wild flower species. Around the park Lesser Celandine, Common Speedwell, Grape Hyacinth, Daisy, Dandelion, Primrose and Birdseye Primrose are all in bloom.
In small copse the gentle rumble of the morning breeze over the tree canopy fills the air. While a Green Woodpecker flew out from between the Black Pine. The mud has not dried up just yet as I mistake a patch and end up a few inches lower!
The meadows are filling up with Cowslips creating a faint dotted carpet of yellow shining bright in the early sunshine. Camouflaged against the grass Early Spider Orchids are starting to appear and a few Early Purple Orchids also spotted. White flowers on the Blackthorn and green leaves on the Hawthorn encase the boundaries of the meadows.
A Blue-tit bounces along the hedgeline while Meadow Pipit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Chiffchaff, Raven, Crow and Robin sing from all around. A sign that spring is here, the newly arrived Hereford calf’s hide beneath their mums, tiny in comparison.
I love the viewpoint from the top of the downs the sound of the powerful sea crashing against the cliffs and the gentle cool breeze coming in creating a salty taste on my lips, in contrast to the still, bright, calm, meadows filled with bird song and new life. I stopped still as mysterious long necked creature flew only a few metres in front of me, it took one look over the downs, out to sea and with a ‘quack’ it quickly turned and retreated back inland.
Early Scurvy grass is sprawling over the rocks while Rock Pipits and Jackdaws fly above. Four Adders are curled up warming themselves in the sunshine. There is a lot of activity above the water as the Guillemots are flying out to sea, where they will dive down up to 100mtrs to catch their food. The ledge is packed with Guillemots and only a few out on the water. I can’t wait for our boat trips to start and be able to view the cliff and the nesting sea birds from the water. More exciting times ahead!!