Oh, what to see, to see today?
What wild things will come my way?
What birds? What bugs? What beasts of field?
What hidden things shall be revealed?
At first the land seems plain and bare
With not a creature stirring there
But first a glimpse, and then a call
And now I can’t not see them all.
A Green Woodpecker swooping low in front of me was my first taste of Durlston’s wildlife this morning, it’s Yaffle sounding behind me as I strolled off down to the Woodlands. Meadow Barley was swaying in the breeze on the verges, with Jackdaws and Goldfinches flying above and a few healthy clumps of Dogwood in the hedgerows. Remember that last one best beloved, it’ll be important later.
Inside the Woodlands Grey Squirrels bounced around in the tree canopy, with a few fronds of Yew leaning in on the footpath. Ivy was wrapping the trunks of many a tree and I was pleased to see Dogs Vomit Slime Moulds, Dead Man’s Fingers and the beginnings of some Candlesnuff Fungus on the log borders by my feet.
I cast a rare upward glance to try and discern what birds were about and caught flashes of several Long Tailed Tits, as well as a Goldcrest and a Nuthatch zooming around a Holly tree. Remember that one too oh best beloved, and the Ivy with it.
After leaving the woodlands I took a brief voyage over the Clifftops, passing the Guillemots who’ve come back to visit us again. About half a dozen were floating on the water with a larger group (70+) on the ledge. I also called in on our Hereford Cattle, who were having a go at knocking down some of the nice post and rail fence we put up in the Goat Plot. A few repairs needed there.
Did you remember the Dogwood oh best beloved? And the Ivy and Holly? Today we’re hosting a day of Christmas activities at the Castle including wreath making. Come along and have a go, check out our stalls run by local traders and have a nice measure of mulled wine.