O long have I awaited
The change so long foretold
My patience first frustrated
My passion soon ran cold
Awaiting yes but static no
Amidst the change I stood
So constant I n’aer saw the flow
Till at last, I understood
I took my first proper step through the grand new entrance to Durlston. It’s about time. A glorious plethora of Lesser Celandine greeted me, the likes of which I have never seen. The Aviary Glade has taken on a whole new countenance as a result, with the consistent bordering of Three-Cornered Leek, Forget Me Not and Ransoms adding familiarity to the novelty. Stepping willingly through the new path through the base of the Woodland, it struck me that I was fully experiencing the fully realized Pleasure Grounds for the first time. I’d been so caught up in doing the work I’d almost failed to see it had been completed.
Long Meadow housed abundant Dunnocks, or Hedge Sparrows as they are also known. Their calls intermingled with the chirrups of their House Sparrow cousins as I neared the Learning Centre, Chaffinches and Goldfinches also audible from the surrounding limbs of Blackthorn and Ash.
Ground Ivy and Dog Violets both showed purple as I passed through the Meadows, yet more Cowslips nodding their yellow heads in the light breeze. I spied the odd Blue Tit among the green leaves of Wayfaring Tree, the electric blue plumage drawing the eye like a magnet.
Passing over the top of the Gulley a trio of Song Thrushes were in voice but not in view. I paused for a few minutes, watching for movement among the scrub but all I saw were Wood Pigeons. Further seaward a few pairs of Rock Pipits arced through the air past me as I progressed, rounding off my voyage at the Viewpoint. No fungi today, but I can wait.