I walked into Durlston along the South Barn footpath this morning; one of the many rights of way which lead into the park from Swanage. Greeted by the call of a Dunnock amongst the sound of dozens of Sparrows chirping noisily away in the hedgerow.
Blackthorn lines the sides of this path, with Cow Parsley bursting up the sides, and little pink Herb Robert flowers sheltered below. Occasionally the hedge erupts into colour with sweet smelling Honeysuckle, or becomes choked up by Ivy, with fresh arms of Bramble reaching out from the scrub.
I leave the path and make way into the meadows, where a Song Thrush works through repetitions of it’s songs. He stands atop a Hawthorn tree, determined to for someone to listen.
Further into the meadows, the Skylark’s song fills the air. It’s a soft commotion that fills the air. Noisy but calm; a different kind of calm.
Nearby, the white bum of a Buff-tailed Bumblebee buzzes away atop a pretty crown of a Greater Knapweed flowers; it’s delicate purple petals falling away from it’s centre.
In centenary meadow the white carpet of Ox-Eye Daisies has begun to fade, leaving a haze of green and yellow amongst the Hay Rattle and Birds Foot Trefoil, whilst more occasional fresh Field Scabious flowers bob in the breeze.
Next door in Johnston Meadow, masses of bright yellow Dyers Greenweed now dominate the meadow, replacing the swathes of pink Sainfoin here a few week earlier.