As with your homes and businesses Durlston Castle needs the attention of contractors from time to time and this morning it was the turn of the plumber! However, this meant we both got to see sun’s golden glow off Durlston Head.
Half a dozen Wood Pigeon chose to gradually scatter from the tree cover as I passed. A Grey Squirrel was exposed as it scrabbled up the stem of a leafless Sycamore. Terrace Bridge had several pile of brash awaiting the appropriate condition for burning, want to avoid smoking out the castle! At the base of a mature Sycamore grew a large bracket fungi possibly a Beefsteak. This and an arm thick Ivy stem climbing its truck, meant this tree would be a sensible one to fell in opening up the views. Nearby Hemp Agrimony still had seed to set onto the wind.
The grating squawk of a Jay was eventually followed with a brief glimpse of the bird up above the exposed rock face. It sounded like at least three Robins were beside the bridge. Unsurprisingly, above the Noon bench a male Blackbird crossed the coast path calling in flight. Hiding just beyond the dry stone wall amongst cover was a Song Thrush displaying yellow legs and speckled breast. Upon the steep coast path Wood Pigeon feathers had been plucked and discarded by a bird of prey. Whilst Peveril Ledges were exposed only a Shag flew over the bay towards Durlston Head. It was perhaps me bird that later flew towards the Observation point only to turn anticlockwise back on itself returning east.
Upon rounding Durlston Head the wind not only caused the Tamarisk and Holm Oak to sway but brought the scent of wood ash with it. Indeed yesterday’s volunteers had done great work clearing about the pair of ornamental stone supports for the absent cannons. Recently retired Ranger Robin showed the substantial remains of a canon, hidden amongst the Elm below the stone sea chart.
From the observation point one Guillemot was seen to depart from the cliff head out to sea. A quick scan of Tilly Whim steps Adder basking site revealed something that might have been a pair of eggshell, snail shells or even polystyrene. Luckily I remembered to look back eastwards along the cliff face to a good sixty Guillemots huddled together on the level surface.
Upon the swell several small clumps and one large raft of detached seaweed floated. Today I had two Goldfinch charm sightings but it was possibly the same group. Gorse flowers were seen upon the downs and Meadows. After returning to the Castle I saw outside a butterfly on the wing.