A mirror fruit the ivy bears
Apart from all the rest
All winter it presents its wares
To hungry and distressed
Now spring is in the air once more
And Ivy berries wither
When we’re again at winters door
The berries will come hither
The rising tide of life is becoming ever more obvious at Durlston. It’s certainly living all ships. I may need to be a little more concise in my prose to get it all in: The Learning Centre and surrounding environs were flourishing beautifully, with Willow, Sycamore and Hawthorn all coming into leaf, the latter bearing its white blossom and the former being visited by a few Brown Tailed Bumble Bees. House Sparrows, Green Woodpeckers, Dunnocks and Great Tits were all both visible and audible. The bird ringers reported the first sighting of a Willow Warbler this year. Fantastic job folks!
Large Copse hosted abundant Ivy, its blue winter berries shrivelling on the vine. A Rabbit hopped through a patch of Briar and beyond in the Saxon Field abundant wildflowers waited. Basal Rosettes of Early Spider Orchids and Early Purple Orchids are spreading their leaves, hopefully soon to flower. Lesser Celandine, Hairy Violets and Cowslips are also gracing our lands. Wonderful.
Passing the Upper Gulley I caught the sight and strains of Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Wrens and Blackbirds. On the downs my day was made as in addition to the usual Dung Roundheads and Egghead Mottlegills, I came across a Petticoat Mottlegill. Its characteristic white “petticoat” clearly marking it out.
Down to the lighthouse I heard and saw Skylarks, Chiffchaffs and Stonechats. The Cliffs were lined with Early Scurvy Grass, with Fulmars, Shags and Herring Gulls on the wing. On the water I counted 9 Razorbills and 18 Guillemots. The ledge was empty.
Last night we had the Wareham Whalers in for a fine evening of poetry and sea shanties. Check out today’s audio if you’re in the mood for some nautical melodies.