Brown and black amidst the green, it’s outline indistinct
Absorbing warmth before the hunt, it follows its instinct
With diamonds black and scales keeled, the Adder lies in wait
And you can see it too if you come by the caves at eight.
The winds were a ‘blowing again today, the stiff breeze adding a cold edge to an otherwise warm morning. Chaffinches and Blue Tits were calling from the surrounding trees, with Black Pine, Sycamore, Willow and Elder all providing shelter from the elements. The latter hosted a healthy covering of Xanthoria parietina, also known as Common Orange Lichen. A strange name since it’s distinctly yellow in colour.
Passing out onto the Meadows I had to tread lightly to evade getting wet feet in the puddles cresting the waterlogged soil. All part of the charms of a walk in the wilds if you ask me. Arriving again in Brian Johnston Meadow I lowered my head against the wind and advanced, Catching a few trills from Skylarks and Robins from among the surrounding Hawthorn scrub. Gorse were flowering prolifically, adding yet another attractive spread of yellow to Durlston’s morning canvas.
Meandering my way down to the Tilly Whim Caves, I ran into Julian Sawyer, wildlife photographer extraordinaire. He was clad in his trademark shorts and had been snapping snaps of Peregrine Falcons on the Cliffs and a Black Redstart down in the old quarry workings. As soon as I reached for my binoculars it flew away. Better luck next time I suppose. I pointed out two basking Adders to him that he had passed over, coiled up in their new favourite camouflaged basking location. Next time you’re there, look just to the right of the Teasel stems.
Returning back through the Car Park I took a quick inventory of the flowers on the verges. Daffodils and Dandelions added yet more yellow, with white Lawn Daises scattered liberally amid the green. A few Hartstongue Fern and Jack-In-The-Pulpit were also there, loitering with intent.
Our very own Katie Black was also afield this morning, catching glimpses of Whitlow Grass, Stonechats, Goldcrest and Bullfinches among others as she made her way around.