I arrived in rainfall! Sheltering in the bird hide I saw the pond being topped up by nature whilst around it, Bristly Ox Tongue, Yarrow, Horseshoe Vetch, Agrimony and Greater Knapweed showed flowers.
It was fun unblocking the drain below the bus stop. Having extracted Sycamore and Crack Willow leaves from the pipe a pool of water was released and cascaded down into the woodland (towards the wood chip path no doubt!). Simple joy! I noticed long ribbons of red & white hazard tape in many locations. Fortunately, not identifying hazards instead denoting the route of a RNLI run through the park. However, we do have several wet bows that have lent into the paths so do look where you are walking!
I observed two Anglers whom ascended the cliffs (yes in this weather) whom reported Mackerel as their only catch. We do not recommend climbing down Durlston Head despite the promotion of angling guides. I hoped not to ever witness the rescue of an angler from Durlston Head.
The Dell Bridge was visited by a female Blackbird and a Robin. The quarried rock face was not yet dripping but Marjoram and Common Toadflax flowers were still to be enjoyed. A St. John’s Wort plant held one yellow flower but several red berries. The rain rereleased the slight scent of ash from an old bonfire site.
Whilst I was upon the coast path the rain eased and finally stopped. Three Gannets were seen heading east off Durlston Head. Two Great Black Back Gulls were on the cliff face just west of the Head. One was down on a ledge close to the water and was joined by a Shag needing to dry its wings. It was a surprise to have a noisy Green Woodpecker burst out of the coastal Holm Oak and Tamarisk below the Great Globe.
Under the protection of these bows Bittersweet showed both flowers and berries. A tiny Chiff Chaff pecked at the Tamarisk needles which were decorated in rain drops. Amongst the Gorse needles spiders cob webs were easier to see thanks to the water droplets. Wet leaves continued to shed water well after the rainfall itself had ceased. Sea Aster and Rock Samphire provided some cliff top flowers beside the dry-stone wall. However, in a crevice on the cliff face a Thrift flower appeared to remain! Resting upon the cock and hen capstones of the wall above Tilly Whim were two pairs of rather wet and bedraggled Carrion Crows.