Whilst it was a relief to have long needed refreshing rain it was inconvenient! I had to have a peek into the gully just in case a Winterbourne flowed. Neither the gully nor Aviaries Woodland winterbournes had any flow. Clearly the soil and plants took up much moisture.
From our cliff top coastal path I watched a steady stream of sixty of Herring Gulls drifting west. Interestingly they were travelling into the wind whilst I walked with it heading east as I did not have a rising sun to dazzle me today! I thought one “gull” was behaving like a Fulmar circling cliff side. Indeed a Fulmar it was! Only one Cormorant was observed as it flew east high over the sea. A flapping Perspex wind drew me into the Dolphin Watchers Shelter. Therein a youth Birdwatcher with scope reported Manx Shearwaters having flown past. At Durlston head upon the highest ledge sat a Great Black Back Gull whilst Rock Doves hugged the cliffs.
As part of National Whale & Dolphin Watch Week the Durlston Dolphin Watcher will hold a day of Watching on Thursday 2nd August. The watch being dedicated to the memory of Harry Lodge. Do cool into the Dolphin hut for more information on the day.
Near the centre the wet but still cracked clay path donated some light material to the soles of my wellington boots! Rivulets of water and occasional puddles formed upon the paths. The combination of wind a rain gave me the briefest experience of what wearing lycra might be like. At other times my hood puffed off like a balloon. I gave up wearing my spectacles!
At castle approach leaves and twigs coated the tarmac. Wild Bay Willow Herb flowers clung on the verge. From the Brady bench there were views to Peveril Point only. I deliberately walked the woodland paths looking for windblown trees, broken limbs or detached and hung up branches and fortunately none were seen. At the former Tilly Whim’s Café site a poor Dunnock disappeared into scrub cover. The bird appeared to have been in the wars at it head was virtually bare, Feather perhaps plucked by a rival evening a sibling perhaps?
Back at the centre I took brief shelter in the bird hide. I was shocked to see the low levels of the wildlife pond with perhaps only 40% of its surface area. Whilst Buddleia and Cherry were rocked by the wind the Hazel, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Willow laid in Con’s Hedge stood firm as a wind break.