Leafless but fibrous Elm skeletons stood upright in the wind whilst the drooping branch trips of a Silver Birch danced to the rhythm of the wind. About the car park the Laurel, Black Pine, Holm Oak and any tree wearing an Ivy cloak moved more vigorously thanks to their “sails”.
A Magpie swooped low over the road whilst a robin flitted in and out of cover at the path margins. A pair of Carrion Crows roosted above the recycling compound until one flew castle bound. It was followed by both the Magpie and its mate. Inside the cage of the castle bird feeder was a Grey Squirrel making away with our offerings for small birds. The cheeky mammal struggled but succeeded in squeezing its body between the one-inch gap between the bars.
Thanks to the tree surgery there was an excellent view down and across the dell giving views of castle and sea. Like jungle rope swings a few severed tendrils of Clematis dangled from a few trees. On the terrace itself fresh leaves of Primrose and Valerian grew at the foot of the rockface with Wood Sage and Marjoram joining them. A coppiced Sycamore, amongst a dead hedge, had a maximum regrowth of a meter tall. Itself and its neighbours showed many fresh buds. Amongst the dense cover seaward of the bridge I believed I saw a pair of Redpoll and a Bullfinch.
From the Belvedere, thanks to tree canopy reduction, the Anvil Point Lighthouse was visible. Today it “winked” its lamp against a misty backdrop. However, St. Albans Head could just be seen beyond.
Mainly Great Black Back Gulls with a few Herring Gulls headed westward along the cliff tops, rising and descending in movement against the wind. Two solo Shags were seen on the water off Durlston Head and the Gully Mouth. One flew short distance to relocate. The other was content with its spot a kept diving. A Peregrine Falcon was perched upon the sea cliff where grass met rock. Below it a well-used rocky perch was stained white mainly by Great Black Back Gull skats.
Seward of the Lighthouse there were a handful of Thrift flowers. Below the Quarr a Knapweed head retained a few petals whilst above the landscape feature was a full Field Scabious flower! Goat-like Hereford Cattle clung to the relatively sheltered grassy slopes of the upper gully.