Please be aware that today Durlston Castle and the Seventh Wave Café are closed until further notice due to an electrical problem. A Power Cable has come down. It is being dealt with and we aim to be open again as soon as possible.
The calm it lies before the storm
And at its placid heart
But in between the winds will form
to tear the world apart
White waves boil and break ashore
The trees shiver and quake
The calm belies what is in store
Of that make no mistake
This morning was decidedly blustery as I made my way through the cover of the Woodlands, checking for signs of storm damage. The trees all seemed in order which was good news, as were the fresh patches of Scarlet Elf Cup that had emerged in several locations.
Heading towards the Large Copse I noted the lack of birdsong in the air, most avians having been grounded and silenced by the high winds. I did catch the odd yaffle of a Green Woodpecker though. Several Globe Hyacinths were on display and when I made it to the Woods I was delighted to discover a treasure trove of fungi. In addition to Turkey Tail and False Turkey Tail (not to be confused) there were fresh Oyster Fungi and a large new patch of Glistening Ink Cap.
Beside the trees I caught a brief view of a Sparrowhawk engaging in a brief low flight across the meadow before vanishing over the hedge. Further out by Brian Johnson Meadow a trio of Skylarks attempted to take wing, but were forced back down to earth by the rushing wind.
On the Downs I investigated Paul’s reported sighting of Dung Roundheads and found some fungi that matched their description quite closely. There were also patches of Egghead Mottlegill, a similar looking species. Appropriately enough, the former are more round and the latter more egg shaped.
Along the clifftops there was little bid activity. A few Jackdaws and the odd Herring Gull made short, tentative flights but most birds were wise enough to keep their wings folded. Our resident Guillemots were absent, presumably out to sea and away from the rough seas. By the bottom of the Tilly Whim Caves the waves were crashing in, the water a white boiling mass with huge plumes of spray rising almost high enough to make it into the main caves. Another Omen.
If you’ll excuse me now dear readers, we’ve got quite a lot of sorting out to do at the moment. Though the Castle is closed the park is still open so feel free to come up and enjoy natures rugged beauty.