Two minutes of the day become a fleeting spell of wonder
With Dolphins leaping o’er the see and diving back down under
A chance encounter, against the odds, a moment most sublime
Good fortune finds us both this morn right here, right place, right time
We started our morning walk with a slight mist hanging over Durlston. A curious Pied Wagtail came and bobbed at us as we left the car parks behind as a few Great Tits chirped in the hedgerow.
As we walk down Long Meadow it is great to see Hawthorn and Dogwood in full leaf and the Oak buds bursting. A Robin with a juicy grub in its beak follows us down the path as the musical Blackbirds sing in the bushes. Further down a Pussy Willow and Ash are in full flower providing pollen and nectar for the early insects and potential irritation for hayfever suffers.
I notice the Daffodils are starting to look past their best however they are replaced by Bluebells starting to flower and entering the woods I can smell the garlicy note of the Ransoms. The woodland is also coming to life, with Wood Pigeons cooing, the Horse Chestnut and the Bay in flower and 3 Cornered Leek showing its spike of white flowers. As we study a Blistered Cup fungus in the woodchip pile a Wren starts noisily calling, warning us away from its nest perhaps? I wouldn’t be surprised as we see Crows with mouths full of nesting material swoop overhead. Where the sunlight reaches the ground, I notice the fiddle heads of Ferns coming through and a lonesome Cherry tree in flower.
We leave the woodlands and head along the coastpath seeing many of the usual suspects such as Herring Gulls and Rooks. As we round Durlston Head a Kestrel swoops along the cliffs with its reddy brown back obvious from our elevated position. As we turn back lo! A pod of 15 or more Dolphins come along from West to East travelling with speed and intent breaking the surface to breathe every so often. After this sighting the Rock Pipits, Blue Tits, Guillemots and Razorbills seem to pale by comparison.